465 people were killed in road accidents in Israel this year as of December 15.
The figure nevertheless indicates an encouraging trend: 2003 is expected to have 15% fewer traffic fatalities than in 2002. Israel Police figures indicate 527 traffic fatalities in 2002, while Or Yarok (Green Light) - Association for Safer Driving in Israel reports 558 deaths.
The first time there was a significant turnaround in traffic fatalities was in 1999, when the number of deaths fell 13% from 548 a year earlier to 476. But the situation deteriorated in 2001, with the 500-fatalities barrier again broken: 542 dead in 2001 and 527 in 2002.
There were 462 fatal road accidents in 2002 compared with 425 in 2003. Based on data for January-September 2003, the Israel Police Traffic Department states main reasons for fatal road accidents were speeding (16.2%); driving out of the lane (15.3%); pedestrians' behavior (13.8%); failure to give right of way (11.3%); cyclists (3.1%); tailgating (2.8%); and drunkenness (1.2%).
Tomorrow and Wednesday, Or Yarok will host its annual international conference to put traffic accidents on the national agenda. Former New York mayor Rudolf Giuliani and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will be two of the speakers.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 15, 2003