Increased Call for installation of directional signs in MV, according to Dekra.

In the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV), there has been a concerning increase in traffic fatalities involving roadside trees over the past few years. According to Mario Schwarz, regional manager for Dekra East Germany, this issue was highlighted in Schwerin.

In 2021, MV reported 17 fatalities in such accidents, a number that increased to 21 in 2022 and further to 27 in 2023. These statistics make MV the state with the highest number of such fatalities compared to other federal states, with a total of 59 traffic fatalities last year.

Dekra, a well-known safety organisation, has been advocating for structural consequences on rural roads in MV to counter this trend. The organisation has expressed particular concern over this issue and is calling for a significant increase in crash barriers on rural roads to prevent fatal impacts with trees in case of an accident.

Excessive speed has been identified as the main cause of accidents in MV. To address this, Dekra is also calling on the Ministry of the Interior to significantly intensify police traffic surveillance.

While the Ministry of the Interior of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has not made publicly available specific measures directly aimed at improving safety on rural roads to counter the increase in traffic accidents and fatalities, initiatives like enhancing regional transportation infrastructure and increasing connectivity in rural areas could indirectly contribute to safer mobility in rural regions.

Interestingly, the state of Brandenburg has been able to significantly reduce the number of traffic fatalities on rural roads through massive expansion. This serves as a model for other states looking to improve road safety.

Despite these concerns, MV ranked tenth with 35 traffic deaths the previous year, suggesting that there is still room for improvement in the state's traffic safety measures. As the number of traffic fatalities involving roadside trees continues to rise, it is crucial that action is taken to ensure the safety of all road users in MV.