Latvia records highest number of road accident fatalities in recent years in 2023

RIGA - Altogether 142 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents in Latvia last year, which is 27 more than a year before, according to information released by the State Police. 

Road traffic accidents claimed the lives of 132 people in 2020; 141 in 2021, and 115 in 2022. 

Last year, people were killed mainly in collisions of transport vehicles and in accidents where vehicles either hit pedestrians or overturned. 

A total of 18,899 road traffic accidents were recorded in Latvia in 2023, which is 260 fewer than a year before. 

Last year, authorities opened 3,413 criminal proceedings and administrative offense proceedings for driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances, down from 4,297 in 2022. Also, 815 motor vehicles were seized from heavily drunk drivers.