Increase in traffic jams caused by accidents

Motorists are increasingly affected by traffic accidents, according to figures by traffic information service VID. The number of traffic jams caused by accidents increased by a quarter over the past decade, BNR reports.

The total delay caused by accidents increased by a quarter over the past five years and nearly doubled compared to 10 years ago. The duration of traffic jams caused by accidents also increased.  Of every hour spent in a traffic jams, 18 minutes were caused by an accident. In 2006 it was 10 minutes. 

Accidents also have more of an impact on road traffic compared to 10 years ago, according to the VID. Last year 11.5 percent more accidents were reported than in 2011. In the same period the traffic congestion - length of the traffic jam times the duration - caused by accidents increased by 31.7 percent.