There were a total of nine traffic related deaths in Iceland in 2012, RÚV reports.
Of these nine deaths, seven were men and two were women, according to the full report released by the Road Traffic Directorate (RTD) this morning. Four of them were aged 21-25 and five aged 62-82. Drunk driving caused none of the accidents resulting in death, although one did involve drug use. Last year also had a record low in the number of children injured in car accidents.
Accidents caused by young drivers have greatly reduced, the report also shows, particularly since 2007. A law was introduced that year where temporary license holders who lost 4 demerit points would lose their license entirely and have to take a special course and pass a new driving exam.
Gunnar Geir Gunnarsson, the manager of the Road Safety Division of the RTD, says that the most notable news is the improvement of young peoples’ driving. The age group of 17-20 year olds in particular showed a 50% reduction of accidents over the past two years.
Minster of the Interior Ögmundur Jónasson says he is very pleased with the report but that road safety must continue to improve. “It should be mentioned that there have been tragic accidents in recent months where children, teenagers and adults have died and that casts a dark cloud over otherwise very good news,” Ögmundur says.
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