49 people killed in road accidents in Latvia this year; experts point to risky summer driving
From the beginning of the year to July 13, 49 people died in road traffic accidents in Latvia, 12 of them in the first 13 days of July. Experts blame unjustified risk-taking and overestimated driving skills.
According to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate and the State Police, 49 people have been killed on Latvian roads this year as of July 13. The period from July 1 to July 13 was particularly tragic, with 12 fatalities. Among the most severe incidents were crashes in Iecava parish and on the A1 highway near Tūja, where one accident claimed four lives.
Expert assessment
Road safety specialists identify unjustified risk-taking, overestimated driving skills, vehicle technical condition, non-use of seat belts, and insufficient control on the roads as the main causes of tragic accidents. Edmunds Ozolnieks, board member of the "Safe Driving School," notes that in summer people often consider themselves excellent drivers and fail to recognize risks. In winter, when roads are slippery, drivers instinctively reduce speed and drive more cautiously, but in summer, dry roads and good grip hide skill deficiencies. Problems arise when sudden reaction and vehicle control are required.
