More than 2,800 traffic deaths in Germany: country records slight increase in road fatalities in 2025

The majority of traffic fatalities in 2025, however, occurred outside urban areas. "The vast majority of the total 2.52 million [accidents] occurred, at 74 percent, within urban areas, according to the statement." The distribution of fatalities within built-up areas is notable: "63 percent of the people killed in accidents within urban areas were traveling by bicycle or on foot."

Children particularly affected

Children are particularly affected: "Last year, 29,000 children were also injured. That means: on average, a child is injured in a traffic accident every 18 minutes." According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of children under 15 killed rose from 53 in 2024 to 74 in 2025. "31 children died as occupants of a car, 22 were on foot and 13 were traveling by bicycle."

Kirstin Zeidler, head of accident research at the insurers within the German Insurance Association, assessed the development to the dpa news channel: "2025 was not a good year for road safety in Germany" – "Fatal accidents with children under 15 and seniors aged 65 and over had increased particularly sharply."

Speed and alcohol as main causes

A central problem remains excessive speed: "The most common cause of fatal accidents is still excessive speed." Alcohol also continues to play a significant role: "In total, 170 people died in traffic accidents related to alcohol in 2025 and 17,900 people were injured." On average, "an alcohol-related accident occurred on Germany's roads every 15 minutes in 2025."

"Alcohol-related accidents often go hand in hand with other wrong behavior, such as driving too fast or failing to yield the right of way," Zeidler warned. The expert called for specific infrastructural improvements: "For more safety, we need sufficient clear sight at intersections and junctions to enable seeing and being seen, significantly more pedestrian crossings in the right places, and safe bicycle paths."

E-scooters played a comparatively minor role in the overall statistics: "Their share of all those killed within urban areas, at 2.7 percent, is comparatively low." Of the 33 people who died in e-scooter accidents in 2025, 26 were killed within urban areas.

Looking at the long term, the number of road traffic victims is declining. "The statisticians emphasized that, in the long term, the number of road traffic accident victims is declining sharply." For example, around 9,500 people were still killed and over 500,000 injured in accidents in 1995.

Long-term trend remains positive

Nevertheless, the latest figures raise questions: Despite modern vehicle technology, better infrastructure and tougher fines, the number of traffic fatalities has risen compared to the previous year. The authorities publish their final statistics with a significant delay; this news was broadcast on 07/07/2026 on Deutschlandfunk.

The insurers' accident research sees a particular need for action in the design of junctions and the separation of different modes of transport. Zeidler's demands aim to improve sight lines between car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic and thereby prevent serious accidents.

Overall, the statistics make clear that road traffic remains a significant risk despite all technical advances – especially for the most vulnerable road users: children, elderly people as well as pedestrians and cyclists within cities and municipalities.

Experts expect that the discussion about speed limits, safe school routes and the expansion of protected cycling infrastructure will gain momentum in the coming months. The accident research had already emphasized in earlier analyses that structural measures are often more effective than mere behavioral appeals to road users.

From the perspective of accident research, the increase in road traffic fatalities marks a worrying trend reversal. After years of decline, policymakers and associations had hoped for further improvements; the current figures show that this hope has not yet been fulfilled.