Unusual Number Of Traffic Accidents This Year

An unusual number of traffic accidents have been recorded in Iceland in the last few weeks, Vísir reports. A total of 10 people have passed in Icelandic traffic this year. 

On November 30, a serious incident occurred on Þorlákshafnarvegur and Suðurstrandarvegur when two cars collided with five people on board. On Wednesday, December 3, one man died when two cars struck each other. Eight people were on board. On Sunday, December 7, a cyclist in Sauðárkrókur was hit by a car and was transported to the National Hospital. 

On December 8, a woman in her 70s died of her injuries when crossing a green pedestrian light on Suðurlandsbraut in Reykjavík.  

In the afternoon on December 11, a cyclist was struck by a bus at the intersection of Langholtsvegur and Skeiðarvogur in Reykjavík. The cycling woman was left unscathed. According to eye witness accounts, she crossed during a green pedestrian light. 

In conversation with Vísir, chief officer of the metropolitan police’s traffic division, Árni Friðleifsson said the number is unusually high. “Serious accidents happen during the autumn months. There’s darkness. Christmas stress seems to play a role, people are in a hurry.”

Árni added that pedestrians need to dress in safer clothing. “People are wearing dark clothes. In the mornings and afternoons the vision is such that dark-clothed people are difficult to be seen. Pedestrians also need to be mindful of using zebra crossings and traffic lights. People are crossing every which way over roads,” Árni claimed. 

In recent weeks, a heated discussion has happened concerning the intersection of Reykjavegur and Kirkjuteigur — a popular crossing for children attending school in Laugardalur. In three instances, children have been struck by passing cars, resulting in locals’ plea for increased traffic safety. As reported by Vísir on December 5, Laugardalur residents aim to set up their own traffic lights to mitigate the dangers in a symbolic move. According to Vísir, the City of Reykjavík responded by claiming such lights illegitimate. 

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