Alarming figures: more and more children are having accidents in traffic!

Alarming figures: more and more children are having accidents in traffic!

In 2024, the number of children injured and killed in traffic in Germany rose again. According to the latest information from the Federal Statistical Office, published on August 14, 2025, over 27,000 children under the age of 15 were affected by traffic accidents. Compared to the previous year, this is 27,260 children who had accidents, while the number in 2023 was 27,240. Particularly tragic: the number of children killed rose from 44 to 53. This development shows that the issue of road safety is of enormous importance, especially when you consider that a child has an accident in traffic every 19 minutes. This is reported by the LR Online.

Why is that? Children are particularly at risk, especially on the way to school. In the critical morning hours between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., 13 percent of the 21,870 children between the ages of 6 and 14 who were involved in accidents happened. These numbers highlight the need for education and prevention measures. Around 35 percent of the children affected were in a car, 33 percent were on a bicycle, and 21 percent had an accident on foot.

Frequency of child accidents

Accidental injuries are considered one of the greatest health risks for children in Germany. Every eighth child involved in an accident has to spend at least one night in hospital. When you look at the statistics, it becomes clear: In 2021, there were around 11.5 million children under the age of 15 living in Germany. Current figures show that 16.5 percent of children in this age group sought medical treatment due to an accident within a year, reports Child safety.

Boys in particular are affected: they are more likely to be involved in accidents than girls. In 2021, around 1.9 million children sought medical attention after an accident and over 167,000 children received inpatient hospital treatment. The death numbers are particularly tragic: 163 children under the age of 15 died after an accident in 2021, including 22 infants under the age of one.

The influence of the environment

A look at the most important accident locations shows that most accidents occur in the home environment. 43.8 percent of accidents occur here, followed by schools and care facilities with 24.2 percent. 17.4 percent of accidents occur in leisure areas, such as playgrounds or sports facilities. Experts emphasize that many of these incidents could be avoided through preventive measures and correct behavior. This insight highlights the importance of accident prevention, such as that Federal Ministry of Health highlights.

In young children, especially in the first year of life, accidents in the home environment are the most common. But with increasing age, other accident locations become more important. It is therefore essential not only to improve road safety, but also to raise awareness of a safe environment.

Overall, the challenge of reducing child accidents and mitigating their risks remains a task for society as a whole. The safety of the youngest members of our society should always be the focus!