Serious collision on the A57: Harley driver injured, route closed!

Serious collision on the A57: Harley driver injured, route closed!

On June 1, 2025, around 12:40 p.m., there was a serious traffic accident on the A57, which closed the direction of Cologne until further notice. A 36-year-old Harley-Davidson driver collided with the rear of a slow-moving Mercedes without braking. The exact reason for the accident is still unclear and the police are looking for witnesses who can provide information to clarify the circumstances. The biker suffered serious injuries in the collision, while two other motorcyclists and three car passengers fortunately remained uninjured. Traffic is being diverted at the Worringen junction and an accident investigation team is securing traces of the collision, as Express reports.

Road traffic accidents are a serious problem not only in Cologne, but throughout Germany. According to the traffic accident statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, the number of traffic accidents has increased in recent decades due to the constantly increasing volume of traffic. In 2023, around 2.5 million road traffic accidents were registered in Germany, with most accidents involving property damage and the number of personal injuries remaining relatively constant.

The importance of traffic accident statistics

Traffic accident statistics not only serve to record and analyze accidents, but are also the basis for important measures in legislation, traffic education and traffic planning. Comprehensive data on the causes of accidents, people affected and vehicles is collected in order to increase road safety and minimize future accidents. A greater focus is on the most common causes of accidents such as insufficient distance, unreasonable speed and driving under the influence of alcohol.

A look at the numbers shows that in 2023, around 15,700 accidents involving personal injuries due to the influence of alcohol occurred, resulting in 193 deaths and 18,686 injuries. The trend in traffic fatalities has slowed in recent years, making the desired “Vision Zero” – no traffic fatalities by 2050 – a challenge. Germany recorded 2,839 traffic deaths in 2023, which is still below the EU average of 46 deaths per million inhabitants, while Germany remains below it at 34 per million inhabitants, as Statista notes.

The burden of traffic accidents should not be underestimated, and the data collected shows that the number of accidents on motorways and federal roads is significantly higher than on state or district roads. The increasing number of accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters is particularly alarming. Over 23,000 people were affected last year, with the trend remaining worrying.

The current situation on the A57 is a stark reminder of how fast traffic can move and how important it is to ensure the safety of all road users. With the hope that the injured Harley rider can recover soon, it remains to be seen how the traffic situation will develop as police continue to actively search for witnesses.