Three deaths in tragic traffic accident in Thuringia!

Three deaths in tragic traffic accident in Thuringia!

A tragic accident cost three people their lives on Saturday in the Saale-Orla district in Thuringia. A 70-year-old man drove his car off the road and initially collided with a stream of water before crashing into a tree. This is reported by colleagues from, among others star. The two passengers, aged 61 and 67, could not be saved and died at the scene of the accident. The exact background to the accident is currently unclear, and an expert was called in to clarify the cause of the accident.

Such serious traffic accidents not only raise questions about traffic safety, but also highlight the urgency of thoroughly analyzing the accident statistics and causes. Loud Destatis Comprehensive statistics serve as a basis for measures in legislation, traffic education, road construction and vehicle technology. Road traffic accident statistics also provide information about the structures of accidents and their causes.

A look at the statistics

In 2024, there were around 2.5 million road traffic accidents in Germany, which represents a decrease compared to the previous year. However, the number of accidents causing property damage increased, while accidents causing personal injury remained at the 1955 level. The “Vision Zero” goal of having no traffic deaths by 2050 is being pursued by the European transport ministers. Already in 2024, there were 2,770 traffic deaths in Germany, which represents a decrease compared to the 19,193 in 1970. Despite this progress, the downward trend in traffic fatalities has slowed since the early 2010s Statista reported.

The most common causes of accidents with personal injuries are insufficient distance, inadequate speed and driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2024, there were a tragic 198 deaths and 17,776 injuries in alcohol-related accidents. In addition, 298 people suffered injuries in accidents caused by fog. Accidents involving wildlife also make up a significant proportion, with 2,412 cases.

Accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters often occur, especially in cities. A total of 26,057 e-bike riders were injured or killed in 2024, with e-bike riders being slightly more likely to be involved in accidents with personal injuries in relation to the total number of bicycles. This development shows that not only drivers but also cyclists, who are the second most frequent cause of accidents after drivers, must be brought into the focus of transport policy.

The tragic accident in Thuringia once again shows how important it is to continually increase road safety and raise awareness among road users. Advances such as the introduction of autonomous vehicles could help further reduce the number of traffic accidents. But ultimately, human factors such as inattention and recklessness still play a crucial role.