Frequent tram accidents in this town can be attributed to...
In the first half of 2025, the Schwerin public transport company reported only 12 incidents involving their trams, with six resulting in injuries. However, a closer look at the data reveals that traffic violations by car drivers and cyclists are a significant factor in these accidents.
Thomas Schlueter, managing director of the public transport company, attributes the difference in the number of reported incidents to the company's statistics only including incidents where those involved have a claim to benefits. He emphasises the importance of road users adhering to traffic rules to ensure the safety of all road users, including tram passengers.
One of the busiest and most accident-prone intersections in Schwerin is Friedensstraße and Steinstraße. Six accidents occurred there in six months, three of which were due to car drivers failing to yield to trams. The transportation regulation states that everyone must ensure their own secure footing when the tram starts, but this rule often goes unheeded.
In one incident at this intersection, a car driver stopped incorrectly at the stop line, causing their vehicle to be brushed by a passing tram. This accident did not appear in the NVS statistics but did appear in the police records, raising questions about the discrepancy between the two sets of statistics.
The data shows that failure to yield the right of way is the most common cause of tram accidents in Schwerin, accounting for 14 out of 27 incidents. The Schwerin transport company is urging all road users to exercise greater caution and observe traffic rules to improve safety on Schwerin's streets.
It's worth noting that tram drivers in Schwerin are reported to be very careful and pay attention to special passengers. However, the trams are often the victims of traffic violations by other road users. The entitlement to benefits must always be checked on a case-by-case basis, but one incident involved a tram passenger using a rollator who fell and injured themselves when the tram started, as there was no entitlement to benefits under the transport guidelines.
Typically, tram accidents can be attributed to a variety of factors such as human error, infrastructure issues, technical failures, and environmental factors. For detailed statistics specific to Schwerin, local transport authority reports or police records would be the best sources. One injured individual suffered a serious injury, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and respect for traffic rules to ensure the safety of all road users in Schwerin.
- Despite the Schwerin public transport company reporting only 12 incidents involving their trams in the first half of 2025, general news and crime-and-justice reports have indicated a high number of car-accidents at busy intersections like Friedensstraße and Steinstraße, many of which involve tram accidents due to failure to yield the right of way.
- The Schwerin transport company is not only urging car drivers and cyclists to adhere to traffic rules for the safety of tram passengers, but also sports enthusiasts to be mindful on the roads, as traffic violations can lead to accidents that may affect anyone using Schwerin's streets.
- In addition to car-accidents at busy intersections causing injuries and appearing in police records, incidents like tram passengers falling due to disregarding traffic regulations can also result in accidents, highlighting the importance of everyone's responsibility in ensuring road safety in Schwerin.
