Stricter and improved laws safety equipment contribute to the fact that fewer people died in accidents on German autobahns in the past few decades. The decline is impressive.
In the past almost 50 years, traffic accidents resulting in fatalities on German autobahns have fallen sharply. While in 1972 - statistically speaking - 1 people died per 27,9 billion vehicle kilometers, in 2020 it was 1,5 people. This corresponds to a decrease of around 95 percent. As the The report of Statista-Graphic shows that legal requirements or improved safety equipment in cars, such as airbags, have an influence on this development. The introduction of the 0,8 per mil regulation in 1973 led to a sharp decrease in fatal accidents. The seat belt requirement for the driver and front passenger, which has been mandatory since 1976, and the seat belt requirement, which was extended to include rear passengers in 1884, also ensure fewer fatal accidents.
More accidents in urban areas than on the highways
In terms of fatal accidents, the autobahns are the safest roads in Germany. Overall, according to evaluations by the Federal Statistical Office, 11,7 percent of those killed in road accidents were killed last year. 29,8 percent had a fatal accident in urban areas. Most people (58,6%) died on country roads.