5 reasons why Germany is one of the safest EU-countries for young drivers

Driving in Germany as a young expat driver is a great experience. The German traffic system is well regulated and easy to understand. It does take some time to get used to the large amounts of traffic signs on the side of roads, but once you do, driving in Germany becomes very simple and safe. 

1. Traffic signs are everywhere

There are a lot of traffic signs in Germany and they take some getting used to. But once you understand the basics, they make your life on the road so much easier. There are four categories of traffic signs: warning signs, regulation signs, guide signs and supplementary signs. All streets have clear signs, the highway is very easy to navigate and exits are always clearly marked. Getting lost is rare, also because there aren’t many one-way streets outside of cities. It can get a little more challenging inside the cities, especially in some of the more historic ones. But even there, traffic signs always clearly mark the way and if you take a wrong turn you won’t have to spend too much time getting back to where you need to go.

2. Lots of marked bike paths and bus lanes

In some European cities this is a real problem because there are way more bikes than the traffic system was built for. Germany’s bicycle path system isn’t as well developed as that of Scandinavian countries or the Netherlands. But in comparison to places like the UK, Spain or Italy it’s much easier for expat drivers to avoid bikes because they have their own lane. The same goes for buses by the way, which mostly have their own lanes in the big German cities. The German system helps young drivers greatly, because it helps them navigate (and avoid) the many moving parts of daily road traffic (including pedestrians and cyclists).

3. Insurance is easy to understand

You are not allowed to drive a car without insurance in Germany. This is the case in many European countries but Germany makes it particularly easy for expat drivers to get good insurance. German portals like Joonko make sure even non-German speakers understand exactly which insurance is required and what it covers. That way young drivers can get good coverage at a decent price without having to worry about getting into accidents that might get them into financial trouble. 

4. Great road safety statistics

Germany is a very safe place to drive. Because traffic is highly regulated and many laws are in place, the number of fatal crashes is very low. Both in 2018 and 2019 the number of car crashes resulting in death were very low, also in comparison with many other European countries. Additionally, the German trend is getting better every year. From 2018 to 2019 the number of car-related deaths in Germany decreased by over 8%. Thankfully this trend can be seen in several other European countries as well and should put young drivers increasingly at ease.

5. Streets are in perfect condition

Germany spends a lot of money on local roads and highway infrastructure. The budget this year alone will see investments of 7,75 billion Euros. The high percentage of spending shows: German roads are in great condition. Potholes and damaged surfaces on roads are rare. Equally, bridges all over the country are perfectly maintained. For young drivers this is important because uneven surfaces can easily cause accidents. The better the road, the safer the driving experience. Another thing that inexperienced drivers benefit from in Germany.