48 road deaths in eight months of this year in Latvia

Take note – story published 1 year ago

In the eight months of this year, 48 people have died in 44 serious road traffic accidents, most of whom have been killed in collisions following ill-considered and risky overtaking maneuvers, according to information compiled by VSIA “Latvian State Roads” (LVC) and the State Police (VP) on September 26.

The results of a survey conducted this year show that nearly a quarter or 24% of drivers say they have undergone risky overtaking maneuvers. The data also show that risky maneuvers are more frequently carried out by young drivers aged 18 to 24. More than half, or 59% of respondents, say they have experienced risky overtaking maneuvers: 43% as car passengers, 4% on an intercity bus, and 12% both in a car and an intercity bus.

While 85% of drivers assess their overall level of knowledge in road traffic management as generally good, 61% of drivers say they have violated road traffic rules over the last year.

Of the 48 deaths on state roads this year, 20 were killed in collisions, eight as a result of the car tipping over, one killed in a collision with an animal, four were pedestrians, ten killed in driving into an obstacle, and three into a vehicle standing on the road. One person lost his life driving into a pond, and another died under 'other circumstances'.

This year, the number of cyclist deaths has fallen: ten cyclists lost their lives on the state roads in 2021, but this year there has been one incident, where a cyclist died after crashing into a parked vehicle.

Firefighters rescued 88 people from cars and removed 28 dead. Last year, 149 people were rescued and 45 dead were removed.

The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) asks residents to stop if they see a road accident, to assess the situation and, if necessary, to call the emergency call number 112 immediately.

The VUGD has observed that, unfortunately, the tendency to film and photograph accidents is not diminishing. “The sight of spectators gathering at the scene of the accident makes it seem like someone must have called 112. Unfortunately, we occasionally face the situation of eyewitnesses filming, photographing, and commenting on the crash, but no one has thought about informing the rescue services. If there are victims of an accident, the timely lack of assistance may end up tragically. Therefore, it is always important to call 112 immediately. Then it is better to give victims emotional support, not to film and photograph,” said the VUGD representative Jānis Grīnbergs.

Latvia's road are consistently ranked as among the most dangerous in Europe.

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