Over the past century, road transport has transformed dramatically, with remarkable advances in vehicle technology and traffic safety. Yet DEKRA refuses to rest on these achievements, instead viewing them as motivation to push further. "The successes are undeniable. However, politicians, associations, and organisations must collaborate more than ever to ensure safe mobility for all," said Jann Fehlauer, Executive Vice President of DEKRA Group, discussing the DEKRA Road Safety Report 2025.
To commemorate DEKRA's centenary, this 18th annual report examines striking developments across recent decades whilst highlighting the substantial work still required to achieve "Vision Zero" – the ambitious goal of eliminating road fatalities and serious injuries entirely.
The Global Challenge
Despite significant progress, nearly 1.2 million people die in traffic accidents worldwide each year. The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Marrakesh in February 2025, reinforced calls for intensified measures to reduce these devastating figures.
DEKRA strongly supports this appeal. "We've championed safe mobility for 100 years – it drove our founding and remains embedded in our organisational DNA," Fehlauer explained. He emphasised particular concern for the most vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who account for over half of all traffic deaths according to WHO statistics.
Measuring Success
The report reveals encouraging trends in many developed nations. Road deaths climbed steadily until the 1970s – Germany recorded over 21,000 fatalities in 1972 alone. Since then, however, deaths have declined consistently across numerous European countries.
Preliminary EU Commission figures show 19,800 road deaths across member states in 2024 – a remarkable 70% reduction from the peak figures of the 1970s. Several cities worldwide have achieved consecutive years without traffic fatalities, documented in DEKRA's Vision Zero Map, updated continuously since 2014.
This progress stems from comprehensive measures: mandatory seatbelts, speed limits, drink-driving prohibitions, mobile phone restrictions whilst driving, motorcycle helmet requirements, and child restraint systems. Looking ahead, intelligent networking and digitalisation promise further safety improvements.
Demonstrating Progress
To illustrate safety advances, DEKRA conducted revealing crash tests comparing a VW Golf II (1983-1992) with a modern Golf VIII. The results were stark: whilst a 50km/h head-on collision with 40% overlap would likely prove fatal in the older vehicle, occupants of the newer model would probably escape with minor injuries and walk away.
Additional comparative tests at DEKRA Lausitzring showed significant improvements in braking distances, cornering stability, steering responsiveness, and lighting systems between 1989 and 2024 models.
The Road Ahead
Fehlauer stresses that road safety requires sustained commitment: "This work cannot be a short-term campaign – success demands permanent, ongoing effort." Effective accident prevention combines technological advances, organisational measures, and infrastructure improvements.
EU Road Safety Coordinator Kristian Schmidt emphasises ensuring "safety doesn't become a privilege for the fortunate few, but guarantees equitable access to safe mobility for all." Future priorities include integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into predictive safety systems whilst supporting zero-emission vehicle transitions without compromising safety standards.
Antonio Avenoso of the European Transport Safety Council highlights funding importance: "National-level financing is essential for creating and maintaining safe transport systems that protect lives, promote economic prosperity, and enhance quality of life."
The comprehensive DEKRA Road Safety Report 2025, "The Changing Face of Mobility," alongside all previous reports since 2008, is available at www.dekra-roadsafety.com.
Road safety remains everyone's responsibility – from individual users following traffic rules to governments investing in infrastructure and enforcement. Only through collective, sustained effort can we achieve truly safe mobility for all.
