Organisation: ETSC (European Transport Safety Council)
Date uploaded: 22nd July 2020
Date published/launched: July 2020
This is despite heavily reduced traffic levels – as a result of various lockdown restrictions imposed by each country.
For example in Ireland, statistics show in the week of 27 March (when lockdown was announced) traffic volumes reduced by 65-70%. However in April road deaths only declined by 36%, compared to the previous three years.
Meanwhile in the Czech Republic, there was a 5% rise in the number of fatalities during April – despite traffic falling by 65% in urban areas and 70% on motorways.
The ETSC report highlights issues such as speeding and higher numbers of vulnerable road users – as well as changes to enforcement levels.
It says evidence gathered from more than 10 countries ‘strongly suggests’ that speeding may have been a major factor in increased collision severity and therefore a higher risk of death. ETSC is calling for more research to be carried out on the issue.
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