Discussing only the economic impact of a road accident, such as its repercussions on delivery times, repair costs, and vehicle maintenance, would be insufficient. In fact, any road accident has the potential to threaten the life of the driver or other traffic participants.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The European Union’s efforts to halve road traffic fatalities by 2030 have translated into national government reforms and initiatives aimed at improving road safety. Since 2011, the number of fatalities caused by road accidents within the European Union has been gradually and consistently declining. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, when travel restrictions were imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the right track
It is true that, with the lifting of restrictions, the number of fatal accidents has increased. However, the figures remain significantly lower compared to pre-pandemic years. This demonstrates that drivers have started to understand the importance of caution behind the wheel. Additionally, maintaining speed within legal limits has a major impact on road safety.
Romania, the highest number of fatalities
A comparison of 2021 data across European countries shows that Romania continues to have the highest number of road accident fatalities.
Awareness is, of course, the first step. Setting aside excuses related to infrastructure or the lack of traffic flow optimization, it’s essential to remember that the ultimate power lies in our hands. It is our duty to respect speed limits and avoid distractions while driving.
Regardless of one’s experience or level of professionalism behind the wheel, excessive speed overtakes you. It reduces your reaction time, your ability to safely avoid other vehicles or obstacles, and increases both stopping time and braking distance. Moreover, it makes it harder for other road users to correctly estimate distances.
There are solutions
As mentioned earlier, awareness and responsibility are key. Alongside government initiatives, companies in the transportation sector or those managing their own fleets must take on the role of educating drivers and fostering a culture of defensive driving within their organizations.
Every day, the TrackGPS application generates an impressive volume of data regarding the number of stops, vehicle locations, speeds, fuel consumption, and even drivers’ behavior. The Driver behavior solution involves monitoring data on the frequency of pressing the accelerator or brake pedals, idling periods, sudden braking events, and the number and duration of speed limit violations. Once these behaviors are observed by the fleet manager, they contribute to evaluating driver conduct. Issues such as uncontrolled turns, speeding, or failure to adjust speed can be corrected.
Additionally, training programs on defensive driving—assessing and preventing accident risks—can be implemented. All of this aims to create a safer environment on Romania’s roads. Because, in the end, life truly comes first.
