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2024 crash data exposes stark generational risks on the road

Speed kills for young drivers, but older motorists pay the highest price. The numbers show two very different—and dangerous—sides of aging behind the wheel.

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This is a presentation and here we can see vehicles on the road and we can see some text written.
This is a presentation and here we can see vehicles on the road and we can see some text written.

What does the accident statistics say about the age of drivers? - 2024 crash data exposes stark generational risks on the road

New traffic accident data for 2024 reveals clear differences in crash causes across age groups. Younger drivers, often referred to as Gen Z, were most often at fault due to speeding, while older motorists, sometimes categorized as Gen X, struggled with manoeuvres like turning and reversing. The figures also highlight a concerning trend: older adults face a higher risk of severe injuries in collisions.

In 2024, around 312,000 drivers were involved in injury-related crashes in Germany. Of these, 45,000 were aged 18–24, 205,000 were between 25 and 64, and 48,000 were 65 or older. Despite making up 22.7% of the population, drivers aged 65 and over accounted for only 16.0% of crash involvement. However, when they were involved, they were more frequently deemed the primary cause.

Younger drivers, aged 18–24, most commonly crashed due to excessive speed (19.7%) and tailgating (19.2%). Drunk driving also played a larger role in this group, affecting 3.5% of cases. Middle-aged drivers (25–64) were more likely to make errors while turning, reversing, or entering traffic (20.5%), followed by right-of-way violations (17.9%).

For those 65 and older, the leading issue was mistakes during turning, U-turns, reversing, or pulling into traffic—accounting for 22% of their violations. Physical or cognitive limitations contributed to 4.8% of their accidents, a factor rarely seen in younger age groups. Drunk driving was far less common among older motorists, at just 1.0%.

The data also showed a stark difference in injury severity. Over one-third of fatal crash victims in 2024 were aged 65 or older, even though they represented a smaller share of overall accidents.

The findings underscore distinct risks for different age groups on the road. Younger drivers face higher crash rates linked to speed and following distance, while older motorists struggle with complex manoeuvres and suffer more severe outcomes. Authorities may use these insights to tailor road safety measures for each demographic.

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