Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the right-hand side of this page, you can access the new 2023 road accident statistics for the Rhine district of Neuss.

Unfortunately, 5 people were killed in road traffic accidents again last year. The number of serious injuries also fell from 249 to 243. This statistically positive development should not obscure the fact that every accident is one too many.

Biking is becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, this is also reflected in the number of road accidents. Fortunately, the number of cyclists involved in accidents fell from 566 to 543. Nevertheless, the police in the Rhine district of Neuss will continue to work on a further reduction with repressive and preventive measures.

Pedelec riders are particularly affected: 107 of them were slightly injured (- 1.8% compared to 2022) and 17 were seriously injured (- 10.5% compared to the previous year). I therefore appeal to you to take your time to practise braking, stopping and starting off on your pedelec. Take advantage of the courses offered by the police and road safety organizations to learn to ride your pedelec more safely. Protect yourself from serious head injuries by always wearing a bicycle helmet.

Turning, turning, reversing and right-of-way violations, but also incorrect behavior on the part of cyclists, are the most common causes of accidents. Inappropriate speed is the most common cause of serious accidents. The consumption of alcohol and drugs before setting off is also a recurring cause of traffic accidents.

The police promote compliant traffic behavior in the interests of all by consistently punishing traffic violations and various prevention programmes (#Life campaign). In 2023, my officers once again implemented many of these traffic prevention measures at kindergartens and schools, making an important contribution to the safe participation of girls and boys in road traffic.

The traffic accident trend in the "young adults" target group also shows a pleasing decline in the number of accidents from 109 in 2022 to 90 last year. The corresponding prevention program "Crash Course NRW" will therefore be continued in the coming year.

Yours

Hans-Jürgen Petrauschke

District Administrator and Head of the Rhine District Police Authority in Neuss