High number of accidents on Swiss roads
The number of fatal crashes in Switzerland fell in 2010, but the number remains too high, a new report has said.
The Swiss Accident Prevention Bureau said an average of 180 people die and 1,800 are critically injured in road accidents across the country every year.
Collisions with fixed objects, such as trees or walls close to the road, are responsible for 35 percent of accidents, while rear-bumper crashes account for 16 percent of cases. Frontal crashes are estimated to be 12 percent of the total number of accidents, the bureau said.
The 253-page study also focuses on how to improve road safety in the country, stressing the need to remove all objects that get too close to roads and the need to carry out regular maintenance work. The study also calls for a more widespread use of assisted driving devices and for a better understanding of road conditions and safety measures for drivers.
The main causes of road accidents included excessive speed and alcohol abuse, as well as distractions while at the wheel. Lack of proper lightning at intersections and uncoordinated traffic lights are also cited in the research.
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