Road fatalities on historical low in 2013
ROAD safety statistics for 2013 reports the lowest ever number of road fatalities on Slovak roads. There were 223 fatalities in 2013, 73 fewer than in 2012.
"Concerning road safety, Slovakia has had another record year, as historically the lowest number of people died in road accidents in the Slovak Republic," Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák told a news conference on January 3 as quoted by the SITA newswire.
The Žilina region reported the highest number of fatalities, 40, while the Bratislava region the
least, 15 fatalities. Of the total number of fatalities, 64 were pedestrians, and 17 were cyclists.
The number of reported traffic accidents last year was 13,570, down by 375. Also the number of injuries in traffic accidents decreased last year. There were 78 fewer seriously injured people and 86 fewer with minor injuries.
Police Corps President Tibor Gašpar praised the work of police officers, who were able to assist the injured before the arrival of paramedics.
There are several reasons why the fatality rate continues to decrease, according to the minister. The first is the amendment to the Road Traffic Act that came into force since 2009 and the second is police work.
"There were more traffic safety campaigns, cops were really visible at the most critical road sections," Kaliňák said as quoted by SITA.
Another factor, according to him, is the work of firefighters and paramedics, who can mitigate the consequences by being faster at the scene of a road accident.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
