Over 21,000 Russians die in traffic accidents this year

More than 21,000 people had died in a total of 164,000 traffic accidents across Russia in the first ten months this year, said Russian Traffic Police Chief Viktor Kiryanov on Sunday.

Among the fatal victims were 757 children, and the accidents also left 206,500 people injured, said Kiryanov at a Moscow campaign marking the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The Day, which falls on the third Sunday in November every year, acknowledges victims of traffic crashes and their families.

Braving a shivering bad weather with snow, many people attended the Moscow campaign held at Poklonnaya Hill, during which a minute of silence commemorating traffic victims was observed, a remembrance wall unveiled, and 21,000 white balloons released.

Video clips warning people against traffic crashes were played on the big LCD screen set up at the Victory Square, beneath which were flowers and candles placed by some campaign attendants.

Various activities were also staged in other parts of the country, to remind people of safe driving.

In order to enhance road safety, as well as lower traffic accident rate and mortality rate, Russia has endorsed a series of new traffic regulations coming into force on Saturday and Sunday.

Source: Xinhua