We have summarized a few of the most interesting facts from the 2023 traffic accident report for you:
The number of traffic accidents has risen slightly
Last year, there were a total of 5,972 traffic accidents on the roads in Hamm. Compared to 2022, this is just under three percent (+165) more accidents. The main causes of accidents are turning/turning, right of way/priority and distance.
Small increase in accidents - significantly fewer serious injuries
775 people were injured in traffic accidents last year. In 2019, i.e. before the coronavirus pandemic, the figure was 769. Looking at 2022, the number has risen by around three percent (+23). The significant decline in the number of serious injuries from 140 to 98 (-30%) is encouraging.
Unfortunately, six people died in road accidents last year - in 2022, the figure was four.
More children involved in accidents
The number of children involved in road traffic accidents, e.g. as pedestrians or cyclists, rose by twelve to 57 and is at its highest level in the last seven years.
Children were particularly involved in accidents as pedestrians and cyclists (45). Most of the children suffered minor injuries (41).
Number of senior citizens involved in accidents on a downward trend
The number of senior citizens involved in accidents continues to fall over the seven-year trend and can be stabilized at a low level of 85 (2022: 83).
More senior citizens were involved in accidents by bike or pedelec (35) than by car (23) or on foot (15).
Bicycle, pedelec and scooter riders involved in accidents
The number of cyclists involved in accidents continues to fall in the long-term trend at 128 (- 6). One cyclist was killed!
The number of pedelec riders involved in accidents continues to rise in line with the long-term trend at 74 (+ 6).
Accidents involving scooter riders (31) more than doubled compared to the previous year (+18).
Alcohol, drugs and illegal motor vehicle racing
In Hamm, there were 25 illegal races in 2023 - exactly the same number as in the previous year. In 20 cases, this involved fleeing from the police.
The number of traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol and drugs has decreased in recent years. In 2023, there were 54 accidents under the influence of alcohol (2022: 53) and six traffic accidents under the influence of drugs (2022: 5).
Valuable and important prevention work
The Hamm police continue to focus on target group-oriented prevention work, such as combating cycling accidents and pedelec training for senior citizens. Of course, our road safety advisors are also out and about at Hamm schools, carrying out campaigns such as cycling education, the K.i.d.S. project, 30 km/h campaigns, the Hamm TÜF, crash course and the prevention puppet stage. VR glasses are now also being used successfully in prevention work.
For #life:
This is about the police's most important goal: fewer fatalities and fewer serious injuries on the roads. Because "Everyone has the right to life and physical integrity" - as stated in the German constitution. Comprising the areas of traffic accident prevention and repression, the implementation of the objective takes into account the following aspects in particular:
- Focus on vulnerable road users (children, senior citizens and cyclists)
- Focus on traffic monitoring:
- Distance, errors when turning, red lights, speed, alcohol,
- Drugs, lack of consideration
- Intensification of network work, particularly under the umbrella of the safety cooperation "Together for a safe life in Hamm", expert group on road safety in the Preventive Council
Would you like to read more about the different age groups and the various violations? You can find the full presentation of the 2023 road accident report on this page.