Dozens of black and white balloons were released into the sky on November 18 in memory of the victims of road accidents. The event was staged by the National Patrolling Inspectorate in cooperation with the Automobile Club and the Union of Motor Drivers in the square of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Cathedral in Chisinau, IPN reports.

The participants lit candles that were arranged in the form of digit ‘263’, which is the number of persons killed in traffic accidents this year. “Since the start of this year, during 11 months and 17 days, 263 persons died in accidents on the national roads, while another 2,818 were hurt,” said the head of the National Patrolling Inspectorate Marin Maxian.

Among the main causes of accidents are driving under the influence, speeding and not giving way to pedestrians. Marin Maxian also said that the road accidents must be prevented. Therefore the police will extend its patrolling itinerary and will carry out a series of preventative actions in partnership with civil society and with the involvement of children.

After the commemoration event, a service to remember those killed in traffic accidents was held at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Cathedral.