“At least 5% of drivers are willing to always use a mobile phone while driving. It’s not just mobile phones. Distraction is becoming the new road safety epidemic. According to EC data, 1/4 of traffic accidents are caused by distraction. Many risky situations can occur in seconds.” This was stated by Dr. Milen Markov, an expert at the Road Traffic Safety Agency.
He reminded that summer and the warmer part of the year is an important period for construction works. Improving safety also depends on them, he emphasized and noted that some construction works cannot be avoided and must be carried out.
Avoid heat, cell phones, and distractions
Therefore, Dr. Markov recommended to road users, if they have the opportunity, to avoid the hottest part of the day, to be prepared with enough fluids, not to be distracted and not to use mobile phones.
According to him, for the most part, road repairs are secured correctly. But:
“A big problem subsequently is the untimely removal of the temporary traffic organization and the fact that many drivers are not informed in advance about the existing repairs.”
Many of the most important republican road arteries are excessively congested and reach peak values in the summer season, the expert noted. According to him, one of the reasons why TIRs are stopped in the heat is from the point of view of the asphalt coating – to avoid deformations.
“The mobility of any society is a major factor in its development. We have to find a balance between getting goods and services moving and making it safe. When heavy vehicles are stopped, they are stopped at the beginning of the sections that are prohibited for them to pass. There are no designated places where they can stop safely, no conditions. And when the traffic is released, that heavy transport that leaves also becomes dangerous because of the difference in speed between the different vehicles.”
Dr. Markov urged drivers to be careful and tolerant on the road.
