The need for a systematic approach regarding road safety to reduce the car accident rate in Greece was thoroughly examined during the conference “Safety on Road-Safety in Life” that took place in the auditorium of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks.
Data shows that Greece – despite the significant improvement recorded during the last decade – has the worst car accident statistics in the European Union and that car accidents are the first cause of death.
According to the respective figures, Greece was second in the EU with 180 deaths per one million citizens in 2000, then it dropped to third place with 150 deaths in 2005. New 2010 data showed that the country presents the highest car accident rate in the EU with 110 deaths per one million citizens.
The primary goal set by the Greek state for the improvement of road safety is to reduce the total number of deaths in car accidents below 640 till 2020, while the 1,200 deaths recorded in 2010 should drop to 880 in 2015.
According to the speakers of the conference, the most important prohibiting factors concerning car accidents in Greece are:
1. It hasn’t become fully understood that road safety is a science.
2. Road safety isn’t being adequately taught and promoted in schools.
3. The reduction of car accidents hasn’t been a priority goal by the state and the society despite the numerous fatalities and injuries.
4. The public isn’t well informed regarding road safety, and media plays an important role in the promotion of safety precautions, etc.
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