Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Transport

According to data presented by the ETSC, the number of road deaths in Central and Eastern Europe decreased by an average 1.6% from 2001 to 2007, whereas the decrease in Latvia was 25%, writes LETA.

The three best faring EU member states were France, Portugal and Luxembourg, where the road tolls decreased by, respectively, 43%, 42% and 38% from 2001 to 2007.

Overall in Europe, the road toll has decreased 20%, compared to 2001.

Much of France's success in improving traffic safety was thanks to the introduction of speed cameras on the country's highways.

The Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate also believes that speed cameras must be installed along Latvia's roads to further improve traffic safety. First speed cameras will be installed this year, but the process must continue in the future.

Another important aspect is the development of traffic infrastructure: new roads must be built in accordance with traffic safety standards, and they have to be equally convenient and safe for car drivers as well as cyclists and pedestrians, the directorate points out.