Where are the risks and how can they be reduced?

In Latvia, similar to other European countries, there are many dangerous places, or so-called “black spots”, where road accidents often occur. In these places, the risk of accidents is high due to a combination of factors such as poor visibility, heavy traffic and carelessness of the participants. Pedestrian crossings are one of the typical examples – pedestrians often start crossing the road without being sure that drivers notice them and actually stop. On the other hand, drivers usually do not reduce their speed at pedestrian crossings, thus creating dangerous situations. In these places, although the Road Traffic Rules clearly stipulate that pedestrians have priority, in practice, drivers who do not comply with these rules “have the upper hand”.

Gatehouses and house corners are another problem. E-scooter drivers often ride at high speeds on sidewalks or streets without ensuring safety, sometimes colliding with cars or pedestrians. These situations often catch people off guard and neither the driver nor other road users have enough time to react. Therefore, the probability of accidents in these places is high. To reduce such risks, more attention is needed from all road users and improvements in infrastructure. To educate the public and draw attention to these black spots, we have launched the “Urban Danger Spots” campaign.

The growing popularity of electric scooters poses an increasing challenge to traffic safety. Although these vehicles are environmentally friendly and convenient, they are also potentially dangerous, especially in inconspicuous areas and intersections. In 2023, more than 700 road traffic accidents involving electric scooters were registered in Latvia, and this number continues to grow, and a large part of them are not counted because people do not go to medical institutions or seek help. Turn to them after being injured by their families. Drivers of these vehicles often choose to drive at high speeds, ignore road traffic rules, and collide with pedestrians or cars in unknown areas.

Good practice examples from other European countries such as Sweden and Denmark show that strict speed limits can significantly improve the situation. In Sweden and Denmark, the maximum speed of e-scooters is set at 20 km/h, a safe speed given the specifics of the city’s infrastructure and the high pedestrian traffic. France and Italy have gone further and introduced additional limits in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, helping to reduce accidents where they are most needed.

In addition to deficiencies in infrastructure and compliance with rules, there is another major problem in Latvia – road users under the influence of alcohol and other toxic substances. Drinking and driving is one of the most pressing issues for drivers and e-scooter users in terms of traffic safety. On holiday evenings, people choose to use e-scooters as an alternative means of transport to get home after entertainment. But please note that driving an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol is as dangerous as driving a car, and such behavior can lead to serious injuries or even death.

According to the Ministry of Transport, a total of 142 people died in road accidents in Latvia in 2023. Compared to the average indicators of the European Union, Latvia lags significantly behind in terms of safety – 75 deaths per million inhabitants in Latvia, while the average figure for the EU is 46, which unfortunately decreased compared to 2022. Accidents resulting in fatalities increased by 29 people, which once again confirms the need for additional safety measures and stricter road control.

Urban road safety is not only about infrastructure and regulatory issues, but also about public attitudes and behavior. Most accidents occur because people are careless, reckless or lack respect for each other. Although information campaigns are a step in the right direction, the real solution is a long-term approach that combines infrastructure improvements with ongoing public education and changing the behavior of road users. Only by promoting respectful behavior on the roads, introducing stricter rules and ensuring their compliance, and focusing on the safety of vulnerable players, can we significantly reduce the number of accidents and make cities safer for everyone.