About us

The UDV (German Insurers Accident Research) is part of the German Insurance Association (GDV).

Few other organizations commission as much university and non-university research on road safety. Formed in 2004 following a merger of the Munich-based Institute for Vehicle Safety (Institut für Fahrzeugsicherheit – IFM) and the Cologne-based Institute for Road Traffic (Institut für Straßenverkehr – ISK), the UDV works toward improving the safety of Germany’s roads and preventing accidents.

The UDV cooperates with political decision-makers, the relevant authorities, the police and vehicle manufacturers to achieve these ends. The organization maintains a dialog with all road users and advises accident commissions throughout Germany.

The UDV researches all aspects of road safety, taking an interdisciplinary approach that includes roads, vehicles and road users, and develops comprehensive concepts.

The UDV successfully participates in a variety of initiatives that aim to reduce the risk of accidents on the roads and to implement or develop:

• Safe zebra crossings and traffic light configurations
• Compulsory seat belts, ABS for motorcycles, ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats or ESC fitted as standard in all new vehicles
• The investigation of accident black spots, a “cycling license” for children and safe routes to school

The UDV analyzes real accidents and enters the data in the German insurers’ accident database (UDB). The effectiveness of technical safety systems such as driver assistance systems can be investigated based on comprehensive analyses of the data.