Almost 700 road accidents occurred in Chisinau municipality so far this year. These claimed the lives of 34 persons and injured 822. Botanica district witnessed the largest number of accidents, with most of these being due to speeding. The data were presented by the deputy head of the Chisinau Police Division Silviu Musuc in the August 7 meeting of officials of Chisinau services and divisions, IPN reports.

Of the total number of accidents, over 400 involved pedestrians. These resulted in 27 deaths. Seven of the pedestrians were killed at crosswalks. The 57 accidents that involved minors resulted in one death and 94 children and teens hurt.

Among the streets that witnessed most of the accidents are Dacia, Soseaua Muncesti, Stefan cel Mare, Vadul lui Voda, Alecu Russo and Soseaua Balcani. The largest number of accidents occurred in May – 116. Friday was the weekday that witnessed the largest number of accidents.

Of the total of almost 700 accidents, 31 involved buses and trolleybuses, 26 accidents involved minibuses, with 52 persons being injured, while 33 accidents involved taxis, with 47 persons being hurt and two being killed in these.

Besides the about 700 accidents that happened in the first seven months of this year, there were recorded 6,300 minor accidents. Of these, 1,400 were the result of speeding. Forty-four of the drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, while in 1,200 cases the distance between the units of transport wasn’t respected. In the period, the police started 544 criminal cases over driving under the influence, with 518 of these being sent to prosecutors.