Road fatalities in 2017 lowest in history: OTI

A total of 226 people died in road accidents in 2017, which was 14 per cent less than the corresponding figure of 2016, reported the local media citing the data of Finnish Crash Data Institute (OTI).

OTI is an independent unit within Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre (LVK). It promotes traffic safety by coordinating the work of road accident investigation committees and compiling statistics regarding accidents.

OTI said the number of road traffic deaths in 2017 was the lowest in its investigation history. Compared to 2016, the number of fatalities dropped by 36.

Compared to previous years, there were fewer deaths caused by accidents of motorcycles and mopeds.

In 2017, 15 persons died in bicycle accidents.

The majority of motor vehicle accidents accounting for 44 per cent of all the deaths took place as a result of cars swerving and veering off the road.

In total, motor vehicle accidents resulted in 185 deaths or two more than the figure recorded in 2014 which remains the lowest in history.