Azerbaijan's annual economic loss due to road accidents revealed

Today the World Bank conducted presentation of its report "Confronting ‘Death on Wheels’: Making Roads Safe in Europe and Central Asia".

WB country manager for Azerbaijan Gregory T. Jedrzeiczak said that the report covers situation on highways in Azerbaijan, economic indicators and road infrastructure.

“Azerbaijan observes the worst situation on roads compared to those countries visited by me. Moreover, motor traffic is active but not all drivers have good driving skills. Children often sit on front seats unbelted and as a result, many accidents follow,” he said.

WB specialist Patricio Marquez said that though fleet of motor cars and kilometers of roads per capita in Azerbaijan is less than in Western Europe countries, traffic fatality rate is 2-3 fold higher over here.

“As well as in all the ex-USSR republics, able-bodied population mainly becomes victims of road traffic accidents in Azerbaijan. 40% of fatal cases fall on pedestrians. Cause of that is bad condition of roads, dangerous behavior of drivers, irrational legislative execution in the area of motor transport,” Marquez said.

The report also covers financial losses for country’s economy during traffic accidents.

“Economic cost of deaths and injuries following road accidents in the CIS countries is high and exceeds 1.5% of country’s annual GDP. Azerbaijan loses approximately $1.2 bn a year following traffic accidents,” he said.

The report says that the main problems on highways remain: overspeeding, grave violation of traffic rules, irresponsible driving, use of mobile phones and other devices behind the wheel. And this situation only worsens.


/Abc.az/