More deaths on the roads, but fewer accidents

The road fatalities increased to 854 in 2007, although the number of accidents has decreased one percent, the annual report shows the accident of 2007. Among the dead, 34 percent correspond to young people between 20 and 24 years.


The Portuguese road fatalities recorded last year rose to 854, four more than in 2006, although the number of road accidents have declined one percent, the annual report shows the accident of 2007.

In statements to the TSF, the chairman of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) said that the recorded deaths are a "very serious problem", mainly because of the 854 deaths, 34 percent were young people "between 20 and 24 years.

"They are younger, those who have to give more to our country, which unfortunately are deceased," said Paulo Marques, adding that "it is the younger bands" that the authorities "have to concentrate its activities this year, 2008 ".

The 35311 accidents last year caused serious injuries 3116, 10.5 percent less than in 2006, while Lisbon, by the number of inhabitants, was the district where they found more instances on the roads.

The same report shows that last year 137 people died victims of atropelamentos, numbers similar to those recorded in the previous year.

The numbers of fatalities, the ANSR provided by the security forces. Correspond to the deaths occurred at the site of the accident and during the way to the hospital.

The report will be presented this Friday in Lisbon by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rui Pereira, and the Chairman of the National Road Safety Authority