Poor awareness causes road deaths

EIGHT of the 23 people who died on the roads in Almeria throughout 2015 were not wearing their seatbelts or helmets according to the Traffic Department of Almeria. 

There were 19 fatal accidents and 38 per cent of the fatalities were not using seatbelts. Four of the accidents occurred in urban areas while 14 of those who died were killed on secondary roads. The number of deaths rose from 2014 when 14 people were killed on the roads, but the department reported this was still an improvement on 2001 when 99 people died. 

The General Traffic Department has launched frequent campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of seatbelts, helmets and child seats. 

Meanwhile a 58-year-old man has been arrested after being stopped driving dangerously with his young granddaughter in the passenger seat without a seatbelt. Residents had reported the driver’s failing to obey traffic laws and when National Police intercepted the vehicle the man emerged from the car with the girl in his arms. He insulted the police and attacked them, punching one officer in the face. He was charged with crimes against road safety and assaulting a police officer.