The Changing Face of Mobility
The Changing Face of Mobility
Safe Mobility Must Be a Given
The world of mobility has been utterly transformed over the past 100 plus years – we have progressed from the first cars to highly automated vehicles; from local traffic to global transport networks. Major progress has been made when it comes to both vehicle technology and road safety.
While this evolution has been impressive, it was also critical to meeting the needs of the world’s ever-growing population. During this time, it has been demonstrated that technological innovations only succeed when accompanied by a suitable legal framework and societal acceptance.
In Europe, the breakthrough of cars started in the 1920s. Prior to this, horse-drawn carriages had dominated road traffic, but the mass production of affordable vehicles changed the streetscape. The economic boom after World War II led to a sharp rise in private car ownership in many countries. To cope with the growth in traffic – also caused by the increase in road-based freight transportation – countries additionally took measures such as constructing or expanding freeways.
For a long time, the downside was a lack of road safety regulations, which meant a high number of traffic fatalities. In many countries, this trend reached its unenviable high point in the 1970s. Germany, for example, recorded more than 21,000 traffic fatalities in 1972. Improvements in vehicle technology and legislation had started to counteract the trend, with the gradual introduction of seat belts, crumple zones, airbags, electronic driving aids such as ABS and ESP, and numerous driver assistance systems. Similarly, measures such as speed restrictions, blood alcohol limits, and improved training for novice drivers – coupled with stronger sanctions for any violations – led to a reduction in the number of accidents causing fatalities and severe injuries. Of course, we should not forget the many public road safety campaigns either. Above all, however, it was the introduction of periodical technical inspections that helped make our roads safer – and that remains true to this day.
According to preliminary figures from the EU Commission, EU countries recorded 19,800 traffic fatalities in 2024 – a drop of 70 percent from the inglorious record levels seen in the 1970s. However, compared with 2023, the figure was reduced by only 3 percent, which is far too little to achieve the EU’s declared goal for 2030 of halving the number of traffic fatalities from the 2019 baseline.
Thus, although progress has undoubtedly been made, many challenges remain before we can ensure safe mobility for everyone at all times. This is particularly true with respect to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and the occupants of motorized two-wheelers, who remain at greatest risk. When viewed globally, there is still much to do to improve road safety, especially in low-income countries.
In this report, we explain where major progress has been made in recent decades, and where action is needed to achieve further optimization in keeping with “Vision Zero”. This is the 18th consecutive Road Safety Report, in which we continue an impressive success story. The international scope of response to the report, as well as the fact that it is often quoted by politicians, professional bodies, and other organizations, underscores the reputation it has acquired over the years. It is an enduring extension of DEKRA’s commitment to road safety, which now dates back 100 years.
Accident Statistics, The Human Factor, Technology and Infrastructure – plus numerous accident examples and statements from international experts: The DEKRA Road Safety Report 2025 examines “The Changing Face of Mobility” from a wide variety of perspectives.
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