Germany has significantly reduced the number of people dying in collisions with roadside trees — yet the figures remain alarming. According to new data from the German Insurance Association (GDV), 449 people lost their lives in such accidents last year. That means at least one fatality every single day on average.
Back in 1995, the situation was far worse: more than 2,200 deaths were recorded that year from vehicles crashing into trees. Over the past decades, advances in road and vehicle safety have led to a steady decline, but experts warn that the danger remains acute, particularly outside urban areas.
Rural roads pose the greatest danger
Data shows that most deadly tree crashes occur on country highways. Cars leaving their lane at high speed can hit a tree with devastating force. In 2024 alone, 371 fatalities were recorded in such rural environments, according to the GDV’s accident research division.
Kirstin Zeidler, who leads road safety analysis at the organization, stressed the severity of the problem: When a vehicle hits a tree, she explained, the obstacle does not absorb energy — the impact force goes directly into the car, often crushing its side. In these scenarios, the risk of dying is three times higher compared to running off the road into an open space.
Over 31,000 deaths since statistical tracking began
The GDV has been monitoring these accidents for three decades. During that time, more than 31,000 people in Germany have died in collisions with trees — making them one of the deadliest fixed hazards on roads.
Call for more protective measures and speed enforcement
Experts argue that many deaths are preventable. Installing crash barriers along high-risk tree rows could protect drivers without cutting down valuable landscapes. However, a large share of roadside trees still lacks any structural protection.
Road safety advocates are also urging improved speed enforcement on dangerous stretches. Modern driver assistance systems and better vehicle engineering are helping — but they are not enough on their own.
Germany’s iconic avenues under protection pressure
Tree-lined avenues are a cultural and ecological hallmark across the country. About 20,000 kilometers of these roads remain nationwide, particularly in northern and eastern states such as Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
But the network has shrunk significantly — around 7,500 kilometers have disappeared since 2006 due to road expansion and safety concerns.
Southern and western regions like Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Saarland now have far fewer avenues than the eastern states. Road safety experts advocate solutions that preserve these landscapes while reducing their dangers — a balance that continues to challenge policymakers.
Authorities and researchers agree: further improvements in road design, speed limits, and vehicle safety are essential if Germany wants to bring the daily death toll from tree crashes down to zero.
