Fewer road casualties because of economic crisis

In Estonia the number of road casualties in 2009 fell significantly in comparison to previous years. But the daily Postimees warns that it is too early to start celebrating: "Of course this is good news. But how did it happen, and will it last? In the long term the technological state of Estonia's vehicles has improved. Modern cars are safer than older ones, and there are more checks. But the decline in the number of traffic accidents is a global trend and it is a consequence of the economic crisis. The number of people who died in traffic accidents from 2008 to 2009 went down by around 25 percent because when the economy is booming people drive more, and vice versa. Moreover, lack of money forces people to cut down on trips for pleasure, and this means there are considerably fewer cars on the roads and also fewer risky overtaking manoeuvres. But once the economy gets going again people use their cars more often and the risk increases."

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