School Route Accidents Up 5% in 2025, Sparking Safety Concerns
Traffic accidents involving children and young people on their way to school have risen by approximately 5% in the first half of 2025, according to accident insurance data. This increase, to 42,303 accidents, has sparked concern and calls for safer routes and improved traffic awareness.
The rural area of Lower Saxony saw the highest accident rate, with 6.4 accidents per 1,000 insured persons. Conversely, Berlin reported the lowest rate, at 3.2 accidents per 1,000 insured persons. Students aged 10 to 18, particularly those attending secondary schools, were most affected. Bicycle accidents accounted for 43% of these incidents, with car accidents making up 11%.
Parents and teachers have identified missing bike paths, crossing points, and traffic-calmed areas as significant challenges to child safety. They advocate for child-friendly, error-tolerant street designs to encourage walking and cycling to school. Accident insurance advises against driving children to school by car due to increased traffic chaos.
With a 5% increase in school route accidents nationwide, safety measures must be prioritised. This includes improving infrastructure, promoting safe traffic behaviour, and encouraging independent travel to school for children to develop competent traffic skills.
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