Zagreb, March 24, 2002 (IKA) — “It is necessary to be concerned about the numbers of traffic accidents on our roads and to urge all the responsible citizens of our homeland to take action,” stated the archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanic, in an address following the devotion of the Way of the Cross which he led today in Zagreb.
Last year, said the archbishop, 647 persons died in traffic accidents in Croatia and 4,567 persons were seriously injured, of whom many will bear the after effects for a lifetime. During the first two months of this year, according to the archbishop, 77 persons died in traffic accidents on our roads, and 2,019 were injured, of whom 525 were seriously injured.
“Dear brothers and sisters, for our present and future, it is necessary to change the existing mentality. It is necessary to promote a new traffic culture. Education in responsibility toward oneself and others is needed,” said the archbishop.
Many young people die in traffic accidents, noted Archbishop Bozanic, adding that too little is said about alcoholism in our country and there is not sufficient public engagement in the battle against addiction that destroys so many lives.