Latest German Star Rating results show that upgrading 3-star motorways to 4-star will cut the number of severe run-off accidents by 50 per cent

The higher the safety level of roads the lower the number of road accident victims. This is the conclusion of a current study conducted by the Institute of Road Traffic (Institut fur Strassenwesen) of the University of Karlsruhe. The EuroRAP star rating system was used for the ADAC assessment of 1,200 kilometres of motorway in Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate and compared with the relevant accident data. The investigators discovered that motorways rated with four stars produced 50% fewer severe run-off accidents than three-star routes. This type of accident accounts for approximately 40 percent of all severe accidents on motorways.

The study underlines the importance of the ADAC road tests within the framework of the European Road Safety Programme EuroRAP. In 2005, ADAC tested the injury or death protection potential of roads in an accident for the first time using a four-star rating system for the tested routes. 70% of the motorways scored top with four stars, the remaining 30% achieved three stars. Because they provided only few safety elements, 60% of the country roads merely scored two stars.

In a current test, ADAC engineers use a specially equipped Mercedes Vito on 3,000 kilometres of country road to assess deficits such as missing fast lanes or inadequate crossing visibility. According to ADAC, two thirds of all fatal accidents occur on country roads. Those responsible for design and administration with the competent authorities can draw on the test results to get a clear picture of where and how roads are in need of systematic improvement.

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For some time, ADAC has insisted on the release of route-relevant accident data in order to be able to draw conclusions on the safety of German roads. The automobile club has also referred to the law on the freedom of information which, since the beginning of this year, entitles the club to view official data. With the exception of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, the federal states still refuse to cooperate with the club. "Obviously, only those informed about the risks of the road network can contribute to improve road safety", comments Dr. Erhard Oehm, ADAC Vice President Transport.

View the results of the ADAC road inspections.

For more information go to: EuroRAP's Star Rating home page, ADAC website or ADAC Press Information.