More traffic police patrols lead to drop in accidents
Last year the total number of traffic accidents dropped to 19,654 from 22,952 the previous year, a 14.4-percent reduction. In 2001, 1,711 accidents involved fatalities, compared to 1,867 in 2000, while the actual number of people killed in accidents last year (2,103) was down by 9.2 percent from the previous year (1,910). The total number of accident victims was reduced by 14.1 percent, largely due to stricter enforcement of the traffic code, including twice the number of breathalyzer tests. More policing resulted in a general increase in the number of dangerous violations recorded, including a 44-percent increase in the number of people caught not wearing a seatbelt or motorcycle helmet – the most common violation recorded – followed by not stopping for a red light, illegal overtaking and driving on the wrong side of the road. The interministerial program «En Route 2001-2005» has played a large part in the success of these measures, which by far surpassed the program’s initial target for a 5-percent reduction in road accidents last year. This was reinforced by hiring more special police for foot patrols or to guard potential targets, thus freeing up police officers for the work of actual policing.
