Number of road accidents and fatalities increased in 2023

The number of fatal road accidents increased significantly in Saxony last year. As the Ministry of the Interior announced on Friday, 188 people lost their lives on the roads of the Free State, a good 59 percent more than in the previous year (2022: 118). Apart from known causes of accidents, there is no clear explanation for this, but multiple causes, it said.

Most accidents happened outside built-up areas, with excessive speed being the most common cause. Three children were among the fatalities. Of the 188 people involved, 86 were traveling in a car, 32 as cyclists, 25 as motorcyclists and 28 as pedestrians.

In total, the number of all traffic accidents in Saxony rose slightly, with 99,519 accidents registered, 2.6 percent more than in the previous year. However, this figure is still far below the figures from before the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, 107,591 traffic accidents were reported to the police.

The number of casualties remained almost constant year-on-year in 2023 at 16,389, with 3411 people suffering serious injuries. One in eight road accidents resulted in personal injury. Accidents on freeways increased by 13.3% within a year. The main focus here was freeway 4.

1768 accidents occurred under the influence of alcohol, slightly fewer than in 2022 (1789). However, the number of accidents under the influence of drugs increased by 12.1% to 361 (previous year: 322). In view of the legalization of cannabis, the police expect an increase in such accidents. The police have also noticed an increase in hit-and-run accidents, i.e. unauthorized removal from the scene of an accident. Here, 23,165 (previous year: 22,216) cases were recorded. Only a fraction of these - 7882 cases - were solved.

The primary aim is to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries, said Petric Kleine, Inspector of the Saxony Police. "We are showing a clear presence in the traffic area, which is also reflected in increased stop and check rates."

Although official figures from the State Statistical Office are not yet available, Kleine expected a slight increase in new vehicle registrations in 2023. Traffic is changing in large cities, with more space being given to cyclists, he said. This is leading to a slowdown in some places, but also to more accidents. The 49-euro ticket has not yet led to any noticeable relief, especially in the major cities and on the freeways. Heavy goods traffic continues to increase on the freeways.