Attacks on drivers - 6 billion Euros damages in the past 5 years

A study conducted by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) and International Road Transport Union (IRU) shows that attacks on commercial vehicles drivers caused damages of 6 billion Euros since year 2001.

The study was started last year with 3.003 drivers being questioned either on the Internet or through face-to-face interviews. Questionnaires evaluation was scheduled this year and the final results will be available in 2007. Preliminary data shows that one in every six drivers (17%) suffered an aggression during the past five years. The total direct losses following the attacks reported by the questioned drivers were in the reange of 12 million Euros. Through extrapolation, it is estimated that total losses in Europe reached the astonishing figure of 6 billion Euros. The countries with most recorded attacks are France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Poland, the United Kingdom and Russia. Romania is next, in a dishonorable 8th place.