Persistent Perils on Bavaria's Rural Roadways

Unsafe Conditions Persist on Rural Highways in Bavaria - Bavarian roads continue to pose a threat

In the first half of 2025, traffic accidents in Bavaria slightly decreased compared to the previous year, with 182,716 accidents registered compared to 186,190 in the same period of 2024. However, the number of fatalities remains a concern, particularly on rural roads.

Despite a 18.2% decrease in accidents attributable to inappropriate or excessive speed, 54 people lost their lives on rural roads due to traffic accidents, a decrease of 8.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The reckless act of not wearing seat belts unnecessarily claimed 20 lives, an increase from 17 in the previous year, according to Joachim Herrmann, the Interior Minister of Bavaria.

Mr. Herrmann emphasized the importance of seat belt usage, stating that it unnecessarily costs lives every year. The number of accidents involving alcohol decreased by 10.5% to 2,059, but seven people still died. Similarly, the number of accidents involving drugs decreased by 23.9% to 264, with five people dying.

The number of injured cyclists in Bavaria increased from 8,183 in the first half of 2024 to 8,255 in the same period of 2025. Concerningly, the number of cyclists killed in cycling accidents increased from 34 to 42. Joachim Herrmann expressed his concern over the increase in serious cycling accidents.

Future safety work in Bavaria will focus on e-bikes, with the focus being on safe E-bike riding. This shift in focus comes as the number of traffic accidents in urban areas decreased slightly in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents also decreased slightly in the same period.

In a positive development, the number of people injured in traffic accidents in Bavaria in the first half of 2025 was 28,070, compared to 29,399 in the same period of 2024. These figures show a decrease in the overall number of people injured in traffic accidents, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety in Bavaria.