Vehicle safety

Safety Aspects of High-Speed Pedelecs
(09.11.2011) Electric-assist bicycles (pedelecs) are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. According to the German two-wheeler industry association Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), around 200,000 were sold in 2010, and the association expects 300,000 to be sold in 2011. The percentage of sales accounted for high-speed pedelecs is now in the upper single-digit range. The market for retrofit kits is also growing, according to the ZIV. [more]
Traffic behavior/Traffic psychology

Brain training and accident prevention

(19.10.2010) As we get older, the brain’s performance deteriorates. This applies, in particular, to fluid cognitive functions such as attention, concentration or the speed at which information is processed. These functions provide a link between the sensory system and motor functions and are thus indispensable for complex perceptual processes and for planning and controlling what you do. When these functions deteriorate as a result of aging, the risk of having accidents both at home and on the roads increases. [more]
Road infrastructure

Accidents at roadwork sites

(19.10.2010) Freeways (autobahns) are the highest-quality roads in Germany – and the safest. In terms of safety, their weak points are their slip roads and, above all, the sections whether there are roadworks, which interrupt the flow of traffic and repeatedly lead to serious accidents. In a study carried out by the Technische Universität Dresden and commissioned by the UDV (German Insurers Accident Research), the accident statistics at 12 roadwork sites with a total length of 68 km were analyzed, and five roadwork sites were subjected to a detailed investigation. [more]

Improved safety on the roads

The UDV (German Insurers Accident Research), which is part of the German Insurance Association (GDV), has been providing advice and carrying out research designed to improve safety on Germany’s roads for over 50 years. To this end, the UDV has three units, which work together on an interdisciplinary basis. The units focus separately on road infrastructure, vehicle safety and road user behavior and psychology. The UDV is an important source of knowledge and expertise. Few other organizations commission as much university and non-university research on road safety. It maintains a Europe-wide exchange with other institutions involved in the field of road safety and represents an express commitment on the part of German Insurers to take responsibility for promoting road safety.