Fatal accidents are sharply on
the increase on Italian roads, with a peak last July, in
particular at night time, in part due to people texting and
taking selfies while driving, according to Poliziamoderna
monthly magazine.
In all 972 people died on the roads in Italy in the first
seven months this year (up from 952 over the same period in
2014), ending a more positive period in which the number of
fatal accidents fell regularly from 2001 to 20013, according to
the figures compiled by police and Carabinieri.
Fatal accidents rose from 879 in 2014 to 897 this year. In
July the number of dead in accidents increased by 70% among
people using two-wheeled vehicles while it increased by 80%
among pedestrians.
In addition to speeding and reckless driving after abuse of
alcohol and drugs a further cause has been distraction caused by
technology as people try and send texts, emails or snap
'selfies' while driving.
A French study shows that distraction by listening on the
telephone while driving reduces the amount of information
perceived from the road by 30 to 50%.
Also to blame is failure to use seat belts especially on
shorter urban drives while according to the Ministry of
Transport only 63% of drivers where seat belts in Italy and only
10 % of back seat passengers put on seat belts.
Traffic police have started new strategies to improve
security including more stringent checks since the average age
of vehicles in Italy is getting older due to the economic
crisis. Special attention is being paid to buses and coaches
carrying school children.
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