More than 1,500 people die in road accidents in 2023

More than 1,500 people died in road accidents that took place in 2023 on public roads, according to the Road Safety Bulletin compiled by the Romanian Police.

In its 13th edition, the bulletin, produced through collaboration between the Crime Prevention and Research Institute and the Road Directorate, shows that in 2023, there were 4,527 serious road accidents on public roads in Romania, resulting in 1,545 fatalities, 3,537 people seriously injured, and 2,172 lightly injured, the Romanian General Police Inspectorate (IGPR) reported on Tuesday.

Compared to 2022, in 2023, there were 188 fewer serious accidents (-3.82%), while the number of people injured (both fatalities and seriously injured) in such incidents was 246 fewer (-4.61%).

The highest number of serious road accidents was recorded in rural areas – 1,857.

One-third (32.7%) of the serious road accidents in 2023 resulted in serious injuries to 1,021 pedestrians.

Failure to adjust speed to road conditions and violations by cyclists were the two most frequent causes of serious road accidents. The following causes, in order of frequency, are: illegal crossing by pedestrians, failure to yield to pedestrians, and failure to yield to vehicles.

In 58% of the serious accidents that occurred in 2023, the responsibility, either fully or partially, lies with a car driver.

As in 2022, pedestrians remained the most numerous victims (30.6%) of the total number of fatalities. Pedestrians represent 40.5% of those killed in accidents that occurred on streets, 34.5% on national roads, and 19.3% on county roads.