Over 138 people killed in road accidents this year
Over 138 people died and 2,132 were injured in 1,837 road accidents across Moldova since the beginning of the year.
During the week dedicated to commemorating victims of road accidents, authorities are conducting awareness, prevention, and outreach campaigns aimed at road users, emphasizing the importance of following traffic rules and exercising caution on the road.
"According to data from the Road Accident Register, 1,837 road accidents were recorded in the first nine months of this year, resulting in 138 deaths and 2,132 injuries," stated Grigore Guzun, Deputy Head of the National Public Security Inspectorate (INSP), during the program "Bună Dimineața" on Moldova 1 TV.
According to the INSP representative, the primary causes of road accidents include driving at speeds unsuited to road conditions, changing direction without following traffic rules, failing to yield the right of way to other vehicles or pedestrians, and crossing the road in unauthorized areas. Another cited cause is driving under the influence of alcohol.
"The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians, as well as those traveling by bicycle or scooter. Naturally, we must pay extra attention to these categories of road users," explained Grigore Guzun.
This week, officers from the General Police Inspectorate are running awareness and prevention campaigns to inform road users about the importance of following traffic regulations. At the same time, police are monitoring traffic and penalising those who violate these rules.
A representative of the General Police Inspectorate (INSP) urged drivers, pedestrians, and all other road users to follow traffic rules and act responsibly, emphasizing that road safety is a shared responsibility.
Pedestrians are advised to exercise heightened caution and to cross the street only after ensuring that drivers have noticed them and are yielding the right of way. This warning comes amid the high number of accidents involving pedestrians—even when they cross in designated areas.
On the evening of November 10, a 30-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by a vehicle while on a pedestrian crossing on Grigore Vieru blvd. in Chisinau. A 21-year-old man, who was crossing the street at the same time, sustained serious injuries in the incident.
The driver fled the scene, abandoning the rented vehicle. Shortly thereafter, police identified and apprehended him; subsequent testing revealed that he had consumed narcotic substances.
The week dedicated to commemorating accident victims culminates in the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed on the third Sunday of November.
