The number of road accidents caused by drunk drivers in the Vitebsk region decreased by 37.8% in January-August

September 8, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. In the Vitebsk region, the number of traffic accidents involving drunk drivers in January-August decreased by 37.8% compared to the same period last year, the agitation and propaganda department of the traffic police department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee told a BELTA correspondent. Drunk drivers caused 46 accidents, in which nine people died (43.8% less than in January-August 2009) and 48 were injured (47.8% less). In total, over eight months, 454 traffic accidents were recorded on the region's roads, which is almost the same as last year's level, with 80 people killed (35% less) and 473 injured (0.4% more) with injuries of varying severity. It is noteworthy that almost a fifth of all accidents occurred with the participation of young drivers with one to two years of driving experience, the traffic police noted. Pedestrians were responsible for 97 accidents during the reporting period, with 22 fatalities (8.3% less) and 76 injured (33.3% more). Among cities, the highest accident rate is observed in Vitebsk and Orsha. Among districts, it is in Senno, Glubokoye, and Polotsk. The main causes of accidents are drivers' violations of speed limits, maneuvering rules, and failure to obey traffic signals. In order to reduce the number of road traffic accidents, employees of the traffic police department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee regularly conduct raids and campaigns targeting various categories of road users, and speak at educational institutions, driving schools, enterprises, and organizations. Extensive informational work is carried out in the media. This set of measures yields results in the form of a decrease in the number of road fatalities and an increase in the level of responsibility among drivers, the traffic police are confident. -0-