The number of fatalities of road accidents by 2020 should be reduced to the average number of causalities in EU countries, road traffic deaths amongst young drivers to drop by 30%, of those severely injured by 40% and the number of child fatalities to be reduced to zero.

This is the objective of the second national strategy on improving road safety 2015-2020, which was promoted Thursday.

The Deputy PM and chairman of the Coordination Body for Road Safety, Vladimir Pesevski said by fulfilling the goal in the next five to six years, the lives of 250-300 citizens would be saved, i.e. there would be less road traffic deaths per year.

Every traffic accident that results in the loss of lives or severe injury, Pesevski noted, must be regarded as a failure of the entire society, not only as a mistake of the individual, which in fact is a misconception.

“The success in meeting the goals of the new strategy means that many lives will be saved and that financial losses will be significantly reduced for the entire society. Previous experience has shown that finances invested in adequate traffic safety elements is in fact an investment, not a financial cost,” stated Deputy PM Pesevski.

Preventative activities, coordinated and supported by frequent controls of the traffic police, accompanied by media support have played a role in maintaining the trend of fewer road accidents and road deaths or injuries in 2015, according to Interior Minister Mitko Cavkov.

In the first half of this year, 52 people died in car crashes compared to the same period last year, when 71 deaths were reported. In the first half of 2014, 2,687 people sustained injuries in car accidents while in the same period this year, 2,093 people were reported to have been injured in such accidents.

“The Interior Ministry will continue to carry out heightened activities for traffic control as foreseen by the recommendations of the strategy and its own action plan,” Cavkov pledged.

Traffic accidents still pose a serious problem in Macedonia, according to the president of the Republic Council for Road Safety.

Stojce Stamenkovski said he believed there was potential to implement the strategic goal to reduce road traffic deaths saying it required multi-institutional approach.

The second national strategy defines ten priorities for road safety, including children, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, young drivers and drivers-beginners, senior drivers, speeding, driving under the influence and driving while using mobile phones and smart devices.

To mark the promotion of the strategy, the Council handed over plaques to Deputy PM Vladimir Pesevski and former Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska.