The number of traffic accidents is a function of various factors, ranging from traffic-flow dynamics, the degree of motorisation, the development level, the quality of the infrastructure and environment, the extent of socio-economic, cultural and other needs and the opportunities available to and habits of the population, to the geostrategic position of a given area. Recent research in a number of developed Western countries has shown that the relationship between kilometres travelled (the aggregate indicator of the factors listed above) and the number of traffic-related deaths follows a certain pattern over an extended period of timel; this pattern is expressed as a decreasing function. Patterns similar to this have been ascertained for Slovenia for a period in the past, appearing with a 12 to 18-year time lag. In the future, the traffic-accident factor can be expected to fall further while predictions of a similar development cannot be made for the absolute number of traffic-related deaths. By no means can a dramatic rise in the number of fatal accidents on Slovenian roads by expected, as is forecast for Eastern European countries.
Samenvatting