To commemorate the traffic fatalities, the ARBÖ will again put up white crosses over the next few days. This year’s number of victims has declined slightly across Austria compared to the previous year, but the number in Carinthia has increased by 1. According to statistics from the Federal Ministry, 279 people died in Austria from January 1 to October 17 this year. That is 5 less than in the same period last year.
Around 200 white crosses will be erected across Carinthia in the next few days. On the one hand in those places where road users had to lose their lives this year, but also in places where terrible accidents have happened in recent years. This tradition has been cultivated by the ARBÖ in Carinthia since 1971.
Unmatched speed
This year, up to October 17th, 28 people died on the streets of Carinthia. That is one more victim than last year at this time. The main cause of fatal accidents is still a speed that is not adapted to the traffic conditions, followed by inattention and / or distraction.
More bicycle accidents than ever before
Unfortunately, the trend of cycling accidents continues. In the first quarter of the year there were more fatal bicycle accidents than ever before. More than half of them were on an e-bike. This means that in the first three months the number of fatally injured cyclists is higher than that of motorcycles and mopeds. “That is why it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of bicycle traffic. E-bike training also makes sense, ”advises Norbert Steiner, President of ARBÖ Carinthia.