Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović said, participating in the "5 to 12" preventive action organized by the Croatian Red Cross and the Ministry of the Interior, that 15 more people were killed on the roads this year compared to the same period last year.
"This is something that naturally worries us, but we can only help by all starting to adhere to the regulations because the police cannot be with every driver, but conscience can," said Božinović during a preventive campaign aimed at raising awareness among drivers about the importance of having a proper first aid kit in their vehicles.
Pointing out that seven people died on Croatian roads last weekend alone, Božinović said that the initial analysis showed that six people died through their own fault and that this was an "obviously conscious decision not to follow traffic rules."
The minister also stated that this year, despite a five percent decrease in the total number of accidents compared to last year, the number of traffic fatalities has increased.
The figures indicate that there are 16 fewer traffic accidents with serious injuries, and eight percent fewer with minor injuries, compared to last year.
Speaking about police work, Božinović said that more than 270.000 traffic violations have been recorded since the beginning of this year. He also specified that the police record more than 800 speeding violations per day and around 230 alcohol-related violations per day.
"There are also not wearing seat belts and using a cell phone while driving, which are the four traffic killers," he added.
Božinović also emphasized that this year there was a three percent increase in the number of vehicles compared to last year, which is 400.000 vehicles more than in the previous period.
Participating in an educational campaign held today in 10 counties and 12 cities, during which drivers were given first aid kits, Božinović said that the police will continue with preventive and repressive actions in order to reduce the number of traffic fatalities.
Photo: HINA/Bostjan Podlogar/STA
