Within the cities, 40% of the traffic accidents are registered, which shows the extent of the problem and the danger that now exists mainly for pedestrians, cyclists, but also bicycles.
The recent tragic loss of a young man on the central street of Volos, while riding a bicycle, brings back to the news the issue of traffic accidents and pedestrians being carried away that are now seen within urban tissues.
“The responsible ministers are still on the encouraging note that traffic accidents from 1,500-2,000 that were ten years ago, have now decreased per year to 600” emphasized the professor of the Department of Road Construction Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering University Thessaly, Mr. Nikos Iliou and he says that “this is because we now have modern, safe and functional highways, which I find out personally through the checks we do. But on the other hand we see that the problem with traffic accidents has shifted within the cities. According to the data, 40% of the dead are from traffic accidents in the cities and the other 40% on the country roads. In fact, in traffic accidents in the city, the most vulnerable pedestrians are the pedestrians who happen, the cyclists, but also the cyclists”.
So why do we have this situation and what should be done? Mr. Iliou answers that “projects with specifications for level roundabouts must be implemented. We also do not have specifications for secondary arteries within cities, for example on November 2nd, Ascension Day. We need to look again at the configurations, how the parking spaces should be arranged, the crossings, where to have vertical markings, where the bins should be placed. The only thing we have specifications for are the footpaths, in terms of width and movement of visually impaired people. For example, the problem with the intersections of such road arteries with a vertical road is that the person coming from the vertical road and trying to exit the central artery has no visibility, and as a result the t -collision. And this is a common phenomenon in Volos. At the Ministry of Infrastructure, I suggested that transport experts scan the data on traffic accidents, where they occur most often, and submit specific proposals, studies and projects. Economic solutions can be intelligently targeted, so that we can also see the pathology of cities. The most important thing is to cost the projects, but also to prioritize them. We can give politicians tools to go straight to the field.”
Mr. Iliou noted about the road arteries in Volos that the one leaving the central horizontal artery from the vertical road should have a narrow width to limit him and show him that he is entering a central artery. For example, the one who moves in Constanta and reaches Kassaveti Street, from a narrow street will enter a larger street. But Konstanta has priority, even though it is narrower, and drivers from Kassaveti, because the road is wider, may think they finally have priority. In these cases we can also use the vertical marking, ie we put the stop. Also, so that the central arteries do not have very high speeds, we make the intersections elevated, so that they reduce speed. So the one moving on Ascension will see some rising interference and slow down. In the cities we see drivers moving at higher speeds than usual and this is a big problem. Unfortunately, the Greek driver brings out various social reactions at the wheel. I am also personally surprised to have cameras on the roads for vehicular traffic. Whoever transgresses, therefore, may the summons also come to him. In Saudi Arabia, where I was for a semester, if you change lanes and don’t blink, you’ll get the call, and if you don’t pay, you won’t be able to do business.”
Interview between Time.news Editor and Mr. Nikos Iliou, Expert in Urban Traffic Safety
Editor: Good day, Mr. Iliou. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the pressing issue of traffic accidents in urban areas.
Mr. Iliou: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical topic that certainly deserves more attention.
Editor: To start, recent statistics show that 40% of traffic accidents occur within cities. Given the urbanization trends, what do you think has led to this alarming shift?
Mr. Iliou: It’s a complex situation, but one main factor is that while we’ve made significant strides in improving highway safety—reducing accidents from 1,500-2,000 a year a decade ago to 600—we’ve seen those improvements not translate into urban environments. The infrastructure in our cities often hasn’t kept pace with the increasing number of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
Editor: You mentioned that vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists are disproportionately affected. Can you elaborate on the statistics behind this?
Mr. Iliou: Absolutely. Within cities, fatalities often involve pedestrians and cyclists. In fact, 40% of the deaths from traffic accidents happen in urban settings, highlighting the need for more protective measures. This demographic is more exposed to risks due to a lack of safety features in our city designs.
Editor: What changes need to be made to improve safety for these vulnerable road users?
Mr. Iliou: One vital step is the implementation of better design specifications for roadways. For example, we need to establish more level roundabouts and reassess secondary roads. We currently lack clear specifications for various urban layout aspects, like the arrangement of parking or pedestrian crossings—issues that can greatly enhance safety.
Editor: You mentioned the visibility issues at intersections. Can you elaborate on that?
Mr. Iliou: Certainly. At many intersections, particularly where roads intersect at sharp angles, drivers coming from side roads struggle with visibility. This leads to frequent T-collisions, a significant problem particularly observed in Volos. We must redesign these areas to improve sightlines and incorporate features that alert all road users to potential dangers.
Editor: It sounds like a multifaceted issue requiring cooperation from various stakeholders. How can local government and experts like you work together to address these problems?
Mr. Iliou: Collaboration is crucial. I’ve suggested to the Ministry of Infrastructure that a thorough analysis of accident data is necessary to pinpoint hotspots. From there, we can propose specific projects tailored to addressing the unique challenges of each area, essentially combining data-driven insights with practical urban planning.
Editor: You’ve touched on economic solutions as well. What role does budget allocation play in enhancing urban traffic safety?
Mr. Iliou: Funding is essential. However, it’s about prioritizing spending on infrastructure improvements that directly impact safety. For instance, investing in better crosswalks, dedicated bike lanes, and well-marked roads may seem costly upfront, but the long-term savings from reduced accidents and their associated costs—both human and economic—are significant.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Mr. Iliou. Your expertise sheds light on a critical issue that calls for both immediate action and strategic planning.
Mr. Iliou: Thank you for highlighting this important topic. We all have a role to play in making our cities safer for everyone.