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According to data from the insurance company BTA, the accident in the center of Vilnius is not a big problem at the moment. According to company data, last year only Vilnius and Subačiaus streets stood out in the old town with the highest number of traffic accidents. These narrow streets have also seen more cases of vehicle damage when trying to park or when drivers leave the vehicle. These statistics should be adjusted for traffic restrictions introduced beginning in the summer.
“As traffic decreases in the old town, the traffic accident curve in this part of the city should drop in the long term. But this will only happen once the new order is in place and drivers get used to it. And until then, there’s a chance we’ll see a short-term increase in traffic accidents as well – this is a natural process, drivers need time to adjust. Plus, these innovations are likely to cause more congestion in other parts of the city, “says Andrius Žiukelis, Head of the BTA Expert Department.
The old town is not a place to shorten your trip.
According to the insurance company representative, now is a good time to restrict car traffic in the old town and other central parts of the city, where more intense pedestrian and bicycle traffic is expected by easing quarantine conditions.
“Traffic flows have decreased significantly, it is difficult to expect them to drop further.” And by alleviating quarantine conditions, traffic flows will increase, so it’s best to implement these changes as soon as possible. Especially since they were planned two years ago. Also, let’s not forget that public spaces were donated to outdoor cafes, so everyone in the old town just wouldn’t fit: tables, pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars. It is a logical solution to eliminate one of these components ”, he assures.
According to the expert, the old town should not become a path that helps to shorten the trip through the city. Furthermore, the uniqueness of the infrastructure of the old town (narrow streets, many curves, crossings, traffic lights, pedestrians) poses an additional and unnecessary risk to traffic safety.
“In the event of an accident in the city center, if the participants in the traffic accident do not obtain the necessary formalities quickly, at least part of the traffic simply stops, because practically all the streets of the old town have a single lane. The current organization of traffic in this part of the city is really risky and it needs to be changed, ”emphasizes A.Žiukelis.
How do drivers prepare for change?
According to the expert, drivers must be carefully prepared for these traffic changes. A. Žiukelis has two tips for them.
“Drivers who used to cross these streets in transit should be interested in traffic changes in advance so there are no problems on the road. For example, don’t miss out on new traffic signs when driving on your normal route. This will prevent chaos on the streets and possible delays. “It would be better to spend 5 minutes sitting quietly in front of a computer examining the traffic changes marked on the map of the old town, than to spend 20 minutes driving in a car and turning your head where to turn to reach your destination,” he recommends. .
Another tip of A.Žiukelis is to observe the traffic signs, because problems are generally caused by driving out of habit, not by observing the traffic signs. This is especially true for drivers who travel the same route frequently.
“I would advise you to drive as if you were on the road for the first time, as if it were a new city. I also urge other drivers to be monitored, even if you have planned your route in advance, it does not mean that the other is prepared as well. As a result, there are several misunderstandings that can be caused by drivers who do not comply with the new brand, “says the expert.
What is the situation in the old towns of our neighbors?
The Riga authorities have tried to restrict vehicle traffic in the old town for several years. In this part of the city, parking prices vary from 2.50 to 3 euros per hour.
In the heart of the old town, the municipality of Tallinn has banned automobile traffic, allowing only certain official vehicles to enter. In some parts of the old town, driving is permitted, but pedestrians are preferred.
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