5,000 Russians Die in Car Crashes over 3 Months of 2003

Approximately 5,000 Russians were killed and more than 35,000 injured in car crashes and road accidents over the first three months of 2003, Major-General of the Traffic Police of Russia's Interior Ministry Viktor Kiryanov announced on Tuesday.

More than 30,000 car crashes and road accidents were registered across the country in the above-mentioned period, said the General, adding, "the situation on the roads is still complicated." As compared with the similar period of 2002, the number of road accidents rose by 1.8%. Likewise, the number of people injured increased by 5.5%, although the number of fatalities dropped by 9.6%. According to the General, more than 70% of car crashes and road accidents are prompted by violations of traffic rules and lack of discipline among drivers.