From Safety to Sustainability: DEKRA’s Role in Shaping Tomorrow’s Transport

Road travel has undergone a significant transformation over the past century. Technology, safety measures, and societal priorities have reshaped the way people move from one place to another.

DEKRA, a leading vehicle testing and inspection organisation, views this progress as both a milestone and a motivation to continue its mission. Its 18th Road Safety Report reflects on key developments across past decades while also stressing that much more work is needed to achieve “Vision Zero,” the global goal of eliminating road fatalities.

Mobility and Sustainability

 From the first automobiles to today’s connected, highly automated, and low-emission vehicles, mobility has always mirrored the pace of technological progress and social change. Alongside these advances lies an urgent challenge: reducing the environmental and human costs of transport systems.

Road safety remains central to that challenge. Nearly 1.2 million people still die each year in traffic accidents worldwide, making safety inseparable from sustainability. This was underscored at the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Marrakesh in February 2025, which called for stronger and more coordinated action to protect all types of road users.

According to Kristian Schmidt, EU Coordinator for Road Safety, it must be ensured “that safety does not become a privilege of the happy few, but that equitable access to safe mobility solutions is guaranteed for all".

Progress Through Regulation and Innovation

 Data in DEKRA’s latest report indicate that, although the problem is far from being solved, significant improvements have been made. Many countries have seen fatality numbers fall since the 1970s. In the European Union, preliminary figures for 2024 indicate around 19,800 deaths on the road, a 70 per cent drop from peak levels.

Globally, however, the picture remains stark. The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly 1.19 million people die every year in road crashes, while another 20 to 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries. Yet some cities are proving that progress is possible, with several achieving consecutive years without a single road death as they work towards Vision Zero.

According to DEKRA, this progress has been driven by a mix of regulation and innovation. Laws requiring seat belts, helmets, child restraints, and strict limits on driving under the influence have saved countless lives. At the same time, improvements in vehicle design, technology, and infrastructure have created safer conditions for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

“The successes are undisputed,” says Jann Fehlauer, Executive Vice President of DEKRA Group.

“And yet, politicians, associations and organisations must work together more than ever to ensure safe mobility for everyone at all times.”

Sustainable Road Safety

 The report emphasises that future progress depends on consistent investment and unwavering policy commitment. Safety innovations must be made widely available, and the global shift to zero-emission transport must not come at the expense of protective standards.

DEKRA’s message is clear. A safer, cleaner, and more sustainable transport future is within reach, but it will require cooperation across industries, governments, and communities to ensure that no one is left behind.

“Financing at national level is also essential for creating and maintaining safe transportation systems that protect lives, promote economic prosperity and enhance overall quality of life,” writes Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) in the report.

“Governments must allocate and invest sufficient resources to address the complex challenges of road safety effectively.”