The number of road accidents in Hungary fell 2% in January-June compared to the same period in 2010, the Central Statistics Office (KSH) reported. The number of fatal accidents was down 18%, accidents ending in serious injuries fell 5% and accidents with slight injuries remained level with previous year figures.

More than 250 people lost their life on public roads in the first half of this year, down 66 from the same period in 2010. The number of alcohol related accidents dropped 11%.

In the first half of 2011, more than 7,000 road traffic accidents ended in personal injury, 70% of them happened within built-up areas. Nearly 9,200 people were involved in accidents in the six months to June 264 people were killed, more than 2,300 were seriously and 6,600 slightly injured.

Nearly all the road accidents were caused by the drivers. Speeding was the most frequent cause (30%), although the number of speeding cases was the same as last year. More than one in every ten accidents was caused under the influence of alcohol.