CSDD Board Chairman Aivars Aksenoks told Latvian Radio's "Good Morning" program that the road is in good condition and the road equipment is relatively good, however, one problem was highlighted - in several places, there is overgrowth - uncut grass on the sides of the road, overgrown bushes, which reduce visibility in several parts of the road when the driver starts an overtaking maneuver. Aksenoks explained that visibility should be at least 300 meters.
"Maybe the first impression is that the road is straight, but there are small hills, bends and maybe this also gives the driver the impression that the road is good, straight enough, there is good asphalt, so they will be able to react," said Aksenoks, adding that "black statistics" increase, or accidents with fatalities are more frequent in summer when it seems that the road is good to drive on.
The CSDD Board Chairman pointed out that maintenance of such roads requires funds, but due to the lack of funding, priorities must be the most dangerous sections.
Aksenoks informed that currently a group of experts has been established in the CSDD to visit the sites of serious road accidents and assess the causes. It has been concluded that one of the main causes of accidents is the human factor, such as driver recklessness, fatigue, and inexperience.
Aggressive driving is also one of the causes of accidents.
"Unfortunately, we drive very fast in Latvia and the most worrying thing is that Latvian society has a loyal attitude towards speeding," said Aksenoks. "If we are cracking down on drunk drivers, the perception about speed is that 'you can speed a bit'." But if someone is not speeding, the perception is that they are impeding traffic, after which unjustified overtaking starts.
LVC's roadside equipment, which measures traffic volume as well as vehicle speeds, shows that only 29% of drivers are driving at the permitted limit, while 15% are exceeding the speed limit by more than 13 km/h per hour, Aksenoks said.
He also urged drivers in areas where average speed cameras are in operation not to drive slower than the speed limit, as this creates the urge in others to drive more aggressively and to overtake immediately after the average speed measurement section is over.
