Filenews 10 October 2024
One of the worst increases in fatal road collisions is recorded this year, despite the fact that last year our country was first in the EU in reductions in deaths on the roads.
According to police data, the increase this year in road deaths has reached 30%, a huge percentage for a country that for two consecutive years had recorded a significant decrease in fatalities.
After both fatal road accidents yesterday, this year there have been 33 road collisions with 36 fatalities, compared to 22 collisions last year and 24 fatalities in the same period. In 2022, 31 human lives were lost in 29 road collisions.
As shown by the data, and unless the situation changes radically so that in the next three months or so that the loss of life in road traffic collisions stops, 2024 is set to be a very bad year that upsets the plans.
It is noted that the decrease in fatalities on the roads during 2022-'23 was largely attributed to the photo-labelling system, namely the cameras of the Traffic Police. However, with the system fully operational, deaths of drivers, pedestrians and passengers are rising this year.
It is estimated that this year there is a relaxation of drivers regarding cameras and their importance as a measure to reduce accidents, resulting in a return to the bad habit of driving at increased speed. Most complaints from the cameras concern exceeding the speed limit and then violating the red light.
The causes, as outlined recently by the Road Safety Council, are well known: Human factor and then the rest. Namely, careless and negligent driving implying the use of a mobile phone while driving, turning right, speeding, alcohol and not wearing a belt and helmet.
That is, causes that have been discussed for years and it seems that drivers neglect or simply think that if they do not wear the belt or helmet, there will be no problem, since they will not suffer anything.
From an analysis of the causes of fatalities in road traffic collisions carried out last month in the Council, the first cause is the use of a mobile phone while driving. It was also found that fatal road collisions occur primarily in residential areas and that the use of seat belts and helmets play a key role in the development of a road collision into fatality or injury. It was also found that violations of the Road Traffic Code by road users in our country are still frequent.
As the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Alexis Vafeadis noted, from the data presented, the problem seems to be particularly acute in the groups of vulnerable users, especially motorcyclists and pedestrians, and pointed out the need to take measures targeting these groups.
The Minister of Justice and Public Order agreed with this position and added that the agreed measures will be implemented immediately. Among the measures to be implemented are: Intensification of policing and more systematic information, enlightenment and education through targeted campaigns.
