When pedestrians are injured in car accidents, this happens particularly often in urban areas. Furthermore, compared to 2019, the number of fatalities has not decreased significantly. These are two findings from a new study by the Björn Steiger Foundation. Their recommendation: More 30 km/h speed limits in cities.

In Radevormwald, an older man ran over a six-year-old child who was playing . The child was seriously injured. In Krefeld, a truck ran over a 27-year-old pedestrian . She was subsequently in critical condition. In Paderborn, a twelve-year-old boy had his leg trapped under a bus . The boy suffered serious injuries. Three accidents in just a few days, demonstrating how easily pedestrians can be injured in car accidents.

According to the Björn Steiger Foundation, 406 pedestrians died in road traffic accidents across Germany last year. This was almost as many as in 2019, when 417 pedestrians died.

The number of such accidents has stagnated, said Siegfried Brockmann, head of accident research at the foundation, during the presentation of the study on pedestrians in car accidents at the CTS Competence Center for Crash Tests in Münster. He continued:

"The dramatic element lies in the undramatic fact that nothing changes."

Another finding, according to Brockmann: "One in three people killed in urban areas is a pedestrian."

According to the study, collisions between pedestrians and cars when crossing the road outside of intersections are frequently responsible for these accidents. These collisions are also particularly serious. The study indicates that the speed of the vehicles plays a crucial role in these so-called "crossing" accidents.

Many of these car accidents occur at pedestrian crossings.

The study found that a large proportion of accidents occur at pedestrian crossings. Experts identified safety-related deficiencies at more than a third of the zebra crossings. For example:

• insufficient lighting or signage
• faded marking
• Pedestrians' view obstructed by trees or parked cars

Brockmann argues that such crossings could create a false sense of security. He demands that they either be redesigned to comply with regulations or removed altogether.

Accident researchers: A 30 km/h speed limit could save many lives

In most cases, the speed limit at these pedestrian crossings was 50 km/h. However, according to the foundation, municipalities could already impose a speed limit of 30 km/h in these areas under current legislation.

Many of the 406 pedestrians who died in traffic accidents last year might still be alive if the speed limit in those areas had been 30 km/h. The organization is therefore calling for an amendment to the road traffic regulations to allow for more 30 km/h zones in cities.