DEKRA presents Road Safety Report 2026 in Berlin

The public road space represents not only a traffic area for many people but also a workplace that claims numerous accident victims each year. Jann Fehlauer, Managing Director of DEKRA Automobil GmbH, emphasized the necessity of analyzing the causes of accidents and developing measures to prevent or mitigate their consequences during the presentation of the DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026 in Berlin. The report, now in its 19th edition, examines the challenges and risks associated with the „workplace road traffic“ from various perspectives, including accident analytics, traffic psychology, and vehicle technology.

Diverse Challenges for Professional Drivers

Professional drivers often cover more than 100,000 kilometers annually while transporting essential goods. Employees in road construction, as well as personnel from police, fire departments, and emergency services, are regularly active in road traffic and face unpredictable situations. These examples illustrate the risks associated with the workplace road traffic, where many people are severely injured or killed in traffic accidents.

Fehlauer pointed out that various hard-to-calculate factors contribute to these accidents. Adverse weather conditions, high traffic volumes, and the behavior of other road users can trigger critical situations at any time. Additionally, time pressure, irregular working hours, and high performance demands lead to stress and fatigue, which are considered one of the most significant risk factors in road traffic. Studies show that the risk of accidents increases eightfold with sleep deprivation. Fehlauer recommended adhering to driving and rest times as well as targeted health promotion to reduce fatigue and stress.

Complexity and Distraction in Traffic

Another risk factor is the complexity of modern traffic systems. Digitalization fundamentally changes work processes. While technologies such as navigation systems and automated driving functions facilitate many tasks, they also increase the demands on drivers. They must process multiple sources of information simultaneously and make decisions, which can lead to distractions.

A central problem is the limited visibility of actual risks in road traffic. Many statistical systems do not differentiate between private and professional trips, complicating the documentation of accidents. Fehlauer emphasized that only through comprehensive visibility of risks can effective long-term measures for accident prevention be developed.

Driving Tests and Surveys on Road Safety

For the current Road Safety Report, DEKRA conducted extensive driving tests and crash tests to examine the reactions of vehicles and assistance systems in critical situations. Tests on the effectiveness of C-ITS-based proximity warnings, which enable wireless communication between vehicles and infrastructure, provided important insights for safety standards.

Additionally, a survey was conducted among professional drivers regarding the parking situation. The results show that nearly two-thirds of respondents regularly have to park in dangerous locations to comply with their rest periods. More than half of the drivers travel over 20 additional kilometers in search of a parking space, which increases the risk of accidents.

Comprehensive Consideration of Road Safety

Fehlauer emphasized that the „workplace road traffic“ cannot be viewed in isolation. A combination of infrastructure, technology, organization, and individual behavior is required. Focusing solely on technical solutions is insufficient if framework conditions and human factors are overlooked. This comprehensive consideration is crucial for occupational safety and the sustainable development of the economy and society.

Kristian Schmidt, European Coordinator for Road Safety, pointed out that investments in safe parking spaces and clear traffic signs can systematically reduce dangers for drivers and employees. Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister of Transport, emphasized in his greeting the importance of consideration and responsibility in road traffic. Initiatives such as „Runter vom Gas“ and „#mehr Achtung“ aim to raise awareness of the particular dangers of the workplace road.

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council, stated that road safety at the workplace is central to the European goal of „Vision Zero.“ Recognizing road safety as a shared responsibility of authorities, employers, and individuals is crucial for building a culture of prevention in road traffic.

The DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026 „Workplace Road Traffic“ is available online for download at www.dekra-roadsafety.com.

Ten DEKRA Demands for Increased Road Safety

• Consistent protection of work sites in road space
• Complete and differentiated recording of work-related traffic accidents
• Sustainable improvement of working conditions in transportation
• Systematic reduction of risks during emergency operations
• Consistent monitoring of load securing regulations
• Compliance with and further development of hazardous goods regulations
• Strict control and adherence to driving and rest times
• Expansion of safe, illuminated, and monitored truck parking spaces
• Mandatory introduction of health promotion programs for professional drivers
• Highly automated driving only under clearly defined safety conditions