Safety expert Safet Music analyzed the consequences and causes of traffic accidents and offered solutions that could make the roads safer.
Music reminds that according to BIHAMK data, 222 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)in 2022, 222 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in BiH in 2022 alone, 1,554 people suffered serious injuries, while 8,704 people suffered minor physical injuries. On average, more than 200 people die annually as a result of traffic accidents, and according to expert estimates, more than 7,000 people have died in traffic accidents in BiH since 2000.
“Traffic accidents on the roads in BiH mostly occur due to non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations, low level of traffic culture, a large number of traffic participants on inadequate roads. The most common causes are illegal speed and speed not adapted to road conditions, then traffic accidents caused under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants, accidents that are the result of actions by vehicles in traffic, and other causes that include disobeying traffic signals, etc., says Music.
Among the other factors that affect traffic safety, he says that the fact that BiH is one of the countries with the fewest kilometers of highways in Europe should be taken into account. According to some data, about 230 kilometers of highways have been built in BiH so far, while Croatia, for example, has 1,306 kilometers of highways.
Music says that the available data on traffic accident trends should help the police and competent state authorities to use their capacities to the maximum in order to reduce traffic accidents and mitigate their consequences.
“It is necessary to use analytical methods in order to discover ‘critical points’ to take adequate and timely measures. A good practice from the European Union (EU) countries is to conduct scientific and professional research on the topic of traffic safety, so that the results of these can be used in finding measures and activities on the prevention of traffic accidents,” Music said.
“Given the competence of the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH, it is necessary to consider the possibility of drafting and accepting a strategic document at the state level, in the sense of a national road traffic safety plan or a state strategy for traffic safety. Simply put, the particular importance is not attached to safety in traffic at the national level, and in this way that problem would also be addressed”, suggests the security expert.
More active participation of the interested public, the non-governmental sector and experts in the creation of legal solutions is also needed.
“With a multidisciplinary approach and the engagement of experts, new training and education plans should be envisaged, and work on the additional training of police officers, with the aim of increasing efficiency and improving the approach to tasks related to traffic safety. In addition to the education of police officers, it should be worked on raising the awareness of citizens about the consequences of not following traffic regulations when driving motor vehicles,” says Music.
He concludes that prioritization is important in the selection of police action, in the sense of whether the priority in work is protecting the lives of road users or filling the city budget, is the priority punishing illegal parking in side streets or controlling traffic and speed on main roads?
