The volume of international goods and passenger road transport through Latvia is increasing, and safety levels must be brought up to international standards. In 1994 the losses caused by road accidents amounted to $120m, 3.5% of Latvian GNP. In 1994, 717 people were killed and 4380 injured in road accidents; to reach European safety levels, these figures should be <250 and <3200. Length of urban streets in Latvia is 5.1% of total road length, but they account for 57% accidents, 32% killed and 56% injured. 35% of vehicles are registered in Riga and 37% of all accidents occur there. About 45% of those killed are vulnerable road users; 23% of all killed and injured pedestrians and cyclists are children. Forecasts indicate road accidents in Latvia will increase and monetary value of losses will amount to $174m in 2000. Measures planned as part of road safety programme are: checks on alcohol impaired drivers; speed controls; control of other violations; speed limits in residential areas, accompanied by traffic management schemes; road safety campaigns; education and training for children and drivers; organisation of rescue service; improvement of roads ; improvement of road safety in darkness; technical inspection of vehicles; safety measures for cyclists.
Abstract