"Flabbergastin' Facts" Record-Low Road Fatalities in Lower Saxony in Nearly a Century
Minimal roadway casualties noted in more than seven decades. - Reduced road fatalities surpassing 7-decade record.
You'd be mighty impressed to know that 2024 saw the record-breaking lowest road deaths in Lower Saxony in over 70 years. Daniela Behrens, the state’s Interior Minister, shared her thoughts: "This historic low is a real win, but every single life lost is one too many."
According to the traffic accident statistics released by the Interior Ministry, there was an impressive 18.2% drop, with 77 fewer deaths compared to the previous year. Only 347 people died in road accidents in Lower Saxony, making it the lowest number since the beginning of statistical records. However, there was an uptick in the number of deaths among young adults and in "tree accidents".
Behrens wasn't satisfied just yet: "We're celebrating some great news, but it's crucial to remember that too many people are still driving under the influence, speeding, or in a reckless manner."
Fewer Collisions, Fewer Casualties
The total number of traffic accidents decreased by 1.8% to 209,001 in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 3,929 fewer accidents. Moreover, the number of severely injured people decreased to 4,961 statewide—compared to 5,150 the previous year. The number of slightly injured people also dropped slightly, with a decline from 36,271 to 36,083. A total of 20 deaths took place on Lower Saxony motorways—17 fewer than in 2023.
The dramatic reduction in road deaths applied across all road classes, with a noticeable decrease in urban areas, according to traffic expert Christoph Falke.
Crash Causes
Riding too fast was the primary reason behind fatal traffic accidents, as pointed out by the information. "Over-speeding is equally as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication," said Behrens. "There's no excuse for it. Driving too fast puts everybody in grave danger."
Advancing stricter speed and driving fitness checks will be the focus in the current year, with coordinated nationwide crackdowns. These measures aren't only aimed at car, truck, and bus drivers but will also target motorcycle, e-scooter, and bicycle riders. Other causes of accidents aside from speeding were failures to yield, errors during overtaking and turning, and insufficient distance maintenance.
Youngsters & Seniors
In 2024, 6 children aged 5 to 14 died in traffic accidents—4 fewer than the previous year, fortunately. However, fatalities among young adults aged 18 to 24 grew by 5 compared to 2023, reaching 58. Two-thirds of them were involved in the accident themselves due to reckless behavior, with 49 of them being male, according to Falke. 28 deaths occurred in "tree accidents".
The number of motorcyclists who died in 2024 remained the same as the previous year—a total of 59 fatalities. Behrens cautioned bikers with the upcoming riding season approaching.
Among the elderly aged 65 and over, there were 126 deaths in 2024—16 fewer than in 2023. This translates to roughly 36% of road deaths being seniors, despite their population share being almost 23%.
Under pedestrians, there were 44 fatalities—9 fewer than in 2023. Meanwhile, 49 cyclists died, a decrease from 71 fatalities in 2023. Significantly, the number of fatal accidents involving e-bikes or pedelecs dropped from 33 in 2023 to 30 deaths last year. Noteworthy, nearly half of the fatalities were not wearing protective bicycle helmets.
While the legalization of cannabis in April 2024 might influence traffic remains unknown, the ministry stated that there are no concrete numbers available as of yet. The limit for the active ingredient THC was only revised in the summer of 2024, and a legal limit similar to the 0.5-permil alcohol limit has been established: It's possible to drive a car with less than 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood and less than 0.5 per mil alcohol in the blood.
The ministry continues to assess the effects of cannabis legalization while voicing concerns about mid-term effects, particularly in relation to road safety. "The number of fatalities involving alcohol, drugs, or medication is still alarmingly high," said Behrens. "Driving under the influence is not innocuous and should be universally condemned."
Crashes involving trees and rural roads
Two-thirds, or 256, of the fatal traffic accidents in 2024 occurred on rural roads. While the number of "tree accidents" decreased from 3,341 to 3,109, the number of fatalities increased: 117 fatal tree accidents were recorded last year, compared to 111 in 2023.
The 2024 traffic recap
"This is a genuinely encouraging trend," said Behrens concerning the decreasing number of traffic fatalities. However, the police record a traffic accident every 2.5 minutes, a tree collision every 2 to 3 hours, and someone gets injured in a traffic accident nearly every 13 minutes. Regrettably, at least one person dies in a traffic accident every day.
In light of the information provided, we can speculate on potential factors contributing to the decrease in road deaths in Lower Saxony in 2024:
- Improved Vehicle Safety: Vehicle safety features, such as airbags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock braking systems, may have contributed to a reduction in injuries during accidents.
- Enhanced Road Infrastructure: Better road infrastructure, including improved lighting, obstacle removal, and road signs, might have made roads safer.
- Public Education Campaigns: Educational campaigns about safe driving practices could have influenced driving behaviors.
- Strict Traffic Laws: Enforcing stringent traffic laws, such as seat belt use and drunk driving prohibitions, may have played a part in safer roads.
- Efficient Emergency Services: Prompt and effective emergency services and well-trained rescue teams could have decreased the number of fatalities.
- The community and employment policy initiatives aim to encourage safer driving practices, reducing fatalities on Saxony's roads, as evidenced by the record-low road fatalities in 2024.
- The reduction in road deaths in Lower Saxony during 2024, despite an increase in 'tree accidents', demonstrates the effectiveness of focusing employment policies on stricter speed and driving fitness checks to improve road safety.
- The continued implementation and enforcement of employment policies that address reckless driving behaviors, such as over-speeding and driving under the influence, could further decrease fatalities and encourage a safer driving culture in Saxony.
