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Germany has a ratio of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 people, while America's ratio is 12.4 per 100,000—essentially 4x higher. And they have the autobahn. Not like they

Germany has a ratio of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 people, while America's ratio is 12.4 per 100,000—essentially 4x higher. And they have the autobahn. Not like they are driving slower.

tootie 2y ago
I think that's likely a function of miles driven. At least partially.
- occz 2y ago
  That's part of the problem.
- thih9 2y ago
  Per capita passenger mileage is 2x lower in Germany vs US[1]; it looks like this accounts for just ~half of the difference - and there are other factors responsible for increased mortality. [1]: https://frontiergroup.org/resources/fact-file-americans-drive-most/ https://frontiergroup.org/resources/fact-file-americans-driv...
  - stefan_ 2y ago
    Other factors indeed, like population density - I assume you won't like correcting for that.
    - thih9 2y ago
      On the contrary, please show how you would correct for that, ideally with sources.
    - bitcharmer 2y ago
      Why would you assume that?
- lucianbr 2y ago
  Only ~1.8x as a function of kms driven. Still significantly better. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-r...
  - golemiprague 2y ago
    [dead]
creer 2y ago
They drive with a discipline / care that Americans refuse to even consider. Perhaps Americans should.
- l5870uoo9y 2y ago
  I agree they have a considerate and disciplined driving culture, but on the other hand parts of the autobahn are without any speed limitations which increase accidents ("Freie Fahrt für freie Bürger").
- AstralJaeger 2y ago
  As someone who regularly drives on German highways, including the Autobahn, I may ad my two cents. While German drivers are often praised for their discipline, the reality I've observed, especially in unlimited speed sections of the Autobahn, can be quite different. Many drivers there seem to focus primarily on their perceived right to drive as fast as they want, often creating dangerous situations for others who may be able to or want to drive as fast and thus often not have time to react. I've witnessed numerous close calls and risky maneuvers that don't align with the idealized view of German driving discipline. That said, the significant difference in road fatality rates between Germany and the US suggests there are indeed factors contributing to safer roads in Germany. However, from my experience, it's not simply due to more careful drivers across the board. Other elements like road design, vehicle safety standards, strict enforcement of traffic laws, and comprehensive driver education systems likely play crucial roles, see the pathway to a german drivers license which includes about 9 hours of practice training with a driving instructor. Rather than looking abroad for examples of driver behavior, it might be more productive for the US to focus on improving road safety through comprehensive measures. This could include enhancing driver education, implementing stricter enforcement of existing traffic laws, and investing in safer road infrastructure. The goal should be to create a system that encourages and facilitates safer driving for everyone, regardless of individual driver attitudes. While there's certainly room for improvement in American driving habits, the solution likely lies in systemic changes rather than simply emulating perceived behaviors from other countries.
  - kwhitefoot 2y ago
tzs 2y ago
Americans drive more, so if you want to compare the safety of the two systems it is better to look at deaths per vehicle-km. Germany has 4.2 deaths per billion vehicle-km. The United States has 6.9.
- bobbylarrybobby 2y ago
  But driving is inherently dangerous, that's the whole point. America shouldn't be let off the hook for partaking in more of a dangerous activity, as if that makes it less dangerous. If Americans don't want to die in cars they should drive less. (Trains would help.)

Germany has a ratio of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 people, while America's ratio is 12.4 per 100,000—essentially 4x higher. And they have the autobahn. Not like they are driving slower.

tootie 2y ago

I think that's likely a function of miles driven. At least partially.

occz 2y ago
That's part of the problem.
thih9 2y ago
Per capita passenger mileage is 2x lower in Germany vs US[1]; it looks like this accounts for just ~half of the difference - and there are other factors responsible for increased mortality. [1]: https://frontiergroup.org/resources/fact-file-americans-drive-most/ https://frontiergroup.org/resources/fact-file-americans-driv...
- stefan_ 2y ago
  Other factors indeed, like population density - I assume you won't like correcting for that.
  - thih9 2y ago
    On the contrary, please show how you would correct for that, ideally with sources.
  - bitcharmer 2y ago
    Why would you assume that?
lucianbr 2y ago
Only ~1.8x as a function of kms driven. Still significantly better. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-r...
- golemiprague 2y ago
  [dead]

creer 2y ago

They drive with a discipline / care that Americans refuse to even consider. Perhaps Americans should.

l5870uoo9y 2y ago
I agree they have a considerate and disciplined driving culture, but on the other hand parts of the autobahn are without any speed limitations which increase accidents ("Freie Fahrt für freie Bürger").
AstralJaeger 2y ago
As someone who regularly drives on German highways, including the Autobahn, I may ad my two cents. While German drivers are often praised for their discipline, the reality I've observed, especially in unlimited speed sections of the Autobahn, can be quite different. Many drivers there seem to focus primarily on their perceived right to drive as fast as they want, often creating dangerous situations for others who may be able to or want to drive as fast and thus often not have time to react. I've witnessed numerous close calls and risky maneuvers that don't align with the idealized view of German driving discipline. That said, the significant difference in road fatality rates between Germany and the US suggests there are indeed factors contributing to safer roads in Germany. However, from my experience, it's not simply due to more careful drivers across the board. Other elements like road design, vehicle safety standards, strict enforcement of traffic laws, and comprehensive driver education systems likely play crucial roles, see the pathway to a german drivers license which includes about 9 hours of practice training with a driving instructor. Rather than looking abroad for examples of driver behavior, it might be more productive for the US to focus on improving road safety through comprehensive measures. This could include enhancing driver education, implementing stricter enforcement of existing traffic laws, and investing in safer road infrastructure. The goal should be to create a system that encourages and facilitates safer driving for everyone, regardless of individual driver attitudes. While there's certainly room for improvement in American driving habits, the solution likely lies in systemic changes rather than simply emulating perceived behaviors from other countries.
- kwhitefoot 2y ago

tzs 2y ago

Americans drive more, so if you want to compare the safety of the two systems it is better to look at deaths per vehicle-km. Germany has 4.2 deaths per billion vehicle-km. The United States has 6.9.

bobbylarrybobby 2y ago
But driving is inherently dangerous, that's the whole point. America shouldn't be let off the hook for partaking in more of a dangerous activity, as if that makes it less dangerous. If Americans don't want to die in cars they should drive less. (Trains would help.)