Speedy safety progress on Hungary's roads

The number of traffic accidents in Hungary during the first quarter of 2008 dropped 10% from the same period in 2007, while the number of fatal accidents plunged 34%, writes Gazdasági Rádió.

According to a report by the Central Statistics Office (KSH), the total number of fatalities resulting from traffic accidents was 187, down 104 from the same period last year.

Among the fatalities, just under 50% were judged to have been faultless in the accident which took their lives. Roughly 50% drivers and 56% of their front-seat passengers who were killed were not using a safety belt.

Nearly 5,300 people were injured in 3,800 accidents during the first three months of the year, of which more than 1,400 were seriously hurt. Almost 70% of these accidents occurred in towns and other inhabited areas.

Among those judged at fault for causing accidents, 68% were drivers of automobiles, 10% pedestrians, 9% trucks and 6% cyclists.

The consumption of alcohol was a factor in 11% of all accidents, and this number dropped by 28% during the period.

The overall number of accidents decreased the most in the Southern Transdanubia region, which saw a drop of 16%, while the number of accidents caused by drunk driving declined the most in Northern Hungary, by more than 40%.

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