From roads to mobile phones and pedestrians, the expert shows the causes of accidents and problem areas

83.7% of accidents in our country occur as a result of violation of road traffic rules. This figure was given in the "Dita Jonë" studio by the road safety expert Fadil Likaj, according to whom the mobile phone and the loss of attention have become the main problem, based on the A2 CNN survey on the cause of accidents in the country.

"About 90% of accidents in urban areas are lost due to the loss of attention, where the use of the mobile phone occupies the largest part. Even we, as accident experts, cannot verify what they used at the time of the accident. Drivers are usually afraid of the police. This age group is the one that gains experience and they think they have that tool at all times. And they realize when the accident happens what mistake they made. They have excessive self-confidence and it goes to these results".

When asked about pedestrian accidents, expert Likaj emphasized that Albania has a problem with the road safety culture and these accidents mainly occur with older people. For this reason, the idea of ​​placing it as a school subject is being considered.

"The culture of road safety should be among all age groups. We are throwing out the idea of ​​putting it as a school subject for young age groups and this investment will pay off after a minimum of 15 years. In the vehicle-pedestrian accident, there are older people, at least 45 years old and above, pedestrians who have an accident and they do not have the education on how to behave on the road, they do not cross the pedestrian crossing, they immediately stop the road. The largest percentage is of this nature".

In Tirana, according to him, the most problematic area for road accidents is the Kavaja street due to the intersection of pedestrians, bicycle lanes and vehicles.

"Where we have the greatest concentration of pedestrians. The most problematic road segment is Kavaja street, we have pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes and vehicles. Tirana needs in-depth scientific research, to make calculations where there are more pedestrians concentrated and to see where it would be best, but I say that horizontal-vertical signaling is needed in Tirana. But there is also a need for review and study that the population flow changes".

Another cause of accidents in Albania, according to expert Lika, are the roads, which according to him are not made according to European standards.

"In Albania, the roads leave much to be desired, the Arbri road, a construction site that has run away, has ended, where many people have lost their lives. In Albania, there is a problem. The investment is not carried out with reference to European standards. European countries, when implementing a road segment, have closed it from all directions; vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists. In Albania, this thing is missing. And I see that a road makes the project an architect and this is implemented, there is no culture for this project to be audited by road safety experts, to make it applicable for Albania".

In the same way, "immigrants follow the rules in the countries they come from, but in Albania they don't follow them, or they perform wrong overtaking, or high speed or interruption of movement. But they don't do that where they live."

When asked about lowering the age for obtaining a driver's license, Likaj emphasized that this is done by European countries that receive information about traffic rules at school.  

"EU countries and beyond receive detailed information on road traffic rules and schools also organize practices. At the age of 16, they are ready to drive a vehicle or a motorcycle."

As for the measures for leaders who violate the rules, he said that there is pressure in the capital, but a common spirit is needed throughout Albania.

"The moment the police take strict and intolerable measures, this should happen in all of Albania."

He appealed to the drivers to be careful not to overtake wrongly, adjust the speed and be careful about the use of narcotics, alcohol and mobile phones.

"On Monday, drivers hurry to get to work, or take a child to school. The driver should be careful not to overtake wrongly, or of some vehicles, and adjust the speed near the intersections, as non-adjustment leads to material and human damage. Not to move faster than the allowed rates. Calling drivers who circulate in Tirana-Durrës to position themselves in the right lane. It has become a trend that all vehicles are positioned on the left side, beware of the use of narcotics, alcohol and cell phones."

According to INSTAT in November the number of accidents in our country has increased a lot compared to a year ago from 92 in 2022 to 167 in November of this year. The main age group is 25-34 years old. (A2 Televizion)