9 January, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. A reduction in all types of road accidents has been recorded on the roads of the Vitebsk region based on the results of 2011, reported the head of the traffic police department of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Sergey Motorenok, to a BELTA correspondent. In total, 661 road traffic accidents occurred in the Vitebsk region last year, which is 15% less compared to the same period last year. 154 people died in accidents, which is one less than in 2010, and 663 citizens received various injuries (a decrease of 16.3% respectively). Children were injured in 73 accidents, which is 7 cases less than the previous year. Four of them died and 69 received injuries of varying severity. The number of road traffic accidents caused by pedestrians and drunk drivers decreased during the reporting period, as did the number of accidents involving drivers who fled the scene. The latter caused 15 deaths and 53 injuries. Overall, there is a general improvement in the road situation in the region. "This positive result is due to the intensive joint work of the State Automobile Inspectorate and all interested departments," noted Sergey Motorenok. A high surge in accidents was observed last year on Sundays and Mondays. The most dangerous time was the period from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The leading cause of road traffic accidents is drivers violating speed limits. This factor underlies 78 accidents. The most unfavorable road situation in the region in 2011 was in the Miory, Glubokoye, and Ushachi districts. At the same time, the road situation in Vitebsk is recognised as the safest among all regional centres in Belarus.-0-

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