POLICE DESIGNS NEW TRAFFIC SAFETY STRATEGY IN FBIH ENTITY

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 6 ,2007) – In the light of the ever-growing number of traffic accidents, the FBIH entity government has adopted a decision to develop a strategy aimed at enhancing traffic safety.

As a matter of fact, the number of traffic accidents in the FBIH entity rose by 12 percent, with a 30 percent death toll increase.

The planned strategy, to which 5,000 Bosnian Marks have already been allocated, will consist of a set of actions to enhance traffic safety, while establishing and eliminating the causes of accidents.

The the FBIH entity's Ministry of Interior Minister, Muhidin Alic, has confirmed that 108 people died in car accidents this year, which is 50 percent more than last year. He drew attention to the preventive measures that are currently being implemented in Croatia. Bosnia’s neighbour aims to reduce the number of traffic fatalities to 13.8 percent – or 10 in 100, 000 people.

EU Member States aim to reduce that number to 7 fatalities in 100,000 by 2010.

“Unfortunately, Bosnia has the poorest traffic safety situation in Europe, because we do not have a strategic approach to that problem.That is why we wish, in cooperation with other institutions, to provide a basic strategy for the next five years.

Throughout the month of August, traffic controls have been intensified throughout the FBIH entity. Special training is also planned for drivers who regularly violate traffic regulations. And, last but not least, the technical evaluation of vehicles on the one hand, and the medical examination of their drivers on the other, will no longer be just a formality.