Traffic Fatalities in North Rhine-Westphalia Rise to 485 in 2024, Reversing Long-Term Decline

The 2024 traffic report highlights motorcycles, E-scooters, and excessive speed as key factors in a concerning increase in accidents and deaths.

North Rhine-Westphalia recorded 485 traffic fatalities in 2024, 35 more than in 2023, breaking a decades-long trend of declining deaths.
Motorcycle-related deaths surged to 86, the highest in five years, while E-scooter fatalities doubled to 8 compared to the previous year.
Excessive speed, insufficient safety distances, failure to yield, and illegal street racing were identified as major causes of accidents.
Experts recommend stricter speed enforcement, enhanced traffic monitoring, and safety training for motorcyclists to address rising risks.
The report also noted a decrease in pedestrian fatalities, with 89 deaths in 2024 compared to 102 in 2023.