Recent data indicates a concerning trend in road safety for children in Germany. Throughout 2024, a child was injured or killed in traffic every 19 minutes, according to figures released Thursday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Approximately 27,260 children under the age of 15 were involved in traffic accidents, a figure comparable to the 27,240 recorded in 2023. However, the number of fatalities increased from 44 in 2023 to 53 in 2024.
This represents a reversal of the downward trend observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, with accident numbers rising again in both 2022 and 2023.
Analysis of the data highlights peak risk times for school-aged children. Between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, Monday through Friday – a typical school commute time – 13 percent of all accidents involving children aged 6-14 occurred. Accident rates remained lower during subsequent hours until 1:00 PM, with another peak occurring between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM and again between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, each accounting for 9 percent of incidents.
In 2024, the majority of children involved in accidents were travelling by car (35 percent). Cyclists accounted for 33 percent of incidents, while 21 percent occurred while the child was walking. However, this distribution varies significantly by age group. Children under six are most often involved in accidents while travelling in cars with supervising adults, accounting for 58 percent of accidents in that age group.
As children get older and gain more independence, they are more likely to travel by bicycle or on foot. Consequently, cycling and pedestrian accidents are more prevalent among children aged 6-14, with 38 percent of crashes in this age group involving bicycles, 29 percent involving cars and 20 percent involving pedestrians.