Almost 40% of traffic accidents in the Mogilev region since the beginning of the year have occurred with vulnerable road users

August 18, Mogilev. Since the beginning of the year, almost 40% of traffic accidents in the Mogilev region have occurred with vulnerable road users - pedestrians, cyclists and carters. BelTA was informed about this by the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Interior Ministry of the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee.

"For 7 months of this year, 191 accidents were recorded in the region, in which 22 people died and 218 were injured," the traffic police said. "Compared to the same period in 2021, the number of deaths decreased by 24%, injured - by 10%. Over 7 months Vulnerable road users in the region were involved in 71 road traffic accidents, in which 14 people were killed and 61 injured. The number of such accidents of all road traffic accidents is more than 37%".

According to state traffic inspectors, one of the most common types of accidents is a collision with pedestrians: 54 accidents were registered in which 13 people died and 45 were injured. “Pedestrian is the most massive road user, and there are many reasons for accidents involving him,” the department noted. “People themselves violate the requirements of traffic rules, are intoxicated , ignore elementary safety measures. 20 accidents".

To avoid accidents, pedestrians should move along sidewalks, pedestrian or bicycle paths, and in their absence, along roadsides. it is especially dangerous to cross the road at night or in conditions of insufficient visibility: a person sees a car with headlights on, and the driver may not notice a pedestrian. The best solution is to use reflective elements. It is not uncommon for people to be hit at pedestrian crossings. This is caused by the inattention of the driver, who must predict the traffic situation and slow down in advance when approaching pedestrian crossings, kindergartens, and schools.

“This year, the number of traffic accidents involving cyclists has increased,” the traffic police continued. “There were 17 accidents with this category of road users, in which 1 person died and 16 were injured. In modern traffic conditions on the streets and roads with saturated The interaction of drivers and cyclists is very important in traffic flows. Special attention is given to young cyclists who are allowed to drive a bicycle on the roads only from the age of 14."

The traffic police also reminded that since October of this year, the main part of the changes in the traffic rules provided for by Presidential Decree No. 145 "On improving the organization of traffic" comes into force. Thus, cyclists will not be allowed to dismount when crossing the carriageway at a pedestrian crossing. When approaching an intersection with a carriageway, a cyclist will have to slow down in advance, make sure that it is safe to enter the carriageway and cross it at the speed of a walking pedestrian.