Record low traffic deaths
In 2001 auto deaths in Germany reached a new record low with 6977, down from 8758 in 1996. It was the lowest number since the statistics were started in 1953. Fatalities peaked in 1970 when about three times as many deaths occurred. In 2002 it declined even further, down 2 per cent to 6842, of which 2500 were pedestrian (873), bicycle (583) and motorocycle (1044) related. The improvement was credited to better auto safety systems (e.g. ESP), guidance systems allowing drivers to avoid jams, or e.g. objects on the roads and better roadside assistance. In 2000/2001 1.15 fatalities occurred per 100 million kilometers travelled. In 2002 8.3 fatalities per 100,000 population were recorded. In 2003 fatalities dropped even further to 6613 in Germany and it was credited to seat belts, air bags, ESP and roadside accident assistance. The increase in the USA in 2005 can be attributed to 525 more motorcycle and 206 more pedestrian traffic fatalities. For passenger vehicle occupants it dropped from 31866 to 31415. Rollover deaths in SUVs declined from 2927 to 2877 due to ESP while rollover fatalities for non-SUVs increased.

Traffic fatalities	USA	Germany	Japan
1970	52627	21332	16765
1980	51091	15050	8760
1990	44529	11046	11227
1996	42065	8758	10679
2000	41945	7503	9066
2001	42196 (rollover: 10157)	6977	8747
2002	43005 (rollover: 10729)	6842	8326
2003	42884 (rollover: 10442)	6613	7702
2004	42836 (rollover: 10590)	5842	7358
2005	43443 (rollover: 10816)	5361	6871
2006	43330	5107	6352
2007		4970

Data from NHTSA, Statistisches Bundesamt and National Police Agency

created in 1998 and updated from time to time

The only SUVs that are built, and destroyed, like a Mercedes-Benz.

Wolfgang's ML Page