One person dies on Estonian roads during first hot summer weekend

The first warm summer weekend brought more than 25 traffic accidents with injuries to Estonian roads, with 10 recorded on Friday, 11 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday, one of which was fatal. Police senior lieutenant Sirle Loigo warned that risky behaviour increases significantly during the summer months. According to Eurostat data, the number of road deaths in Estonia decreased by 38% in 2024 compared to 2023, with a total of 31 people killed in traffic last year.

Estonian traffic police were on high alert ahead of the first heat wave weekend: on Friday, 19 June, there were 10 traffic accidents with injuries across Estonia, one of which was fatal. On Saturday, 11 accidents were registered, and on Sunday another four accidents with injuries.

Police: warm weather brings more victims

Senior Lieutenant Sirle Loigo assessed the weekend situation as concerning. "The number of accidents over the past weekend was still too high. Those involved included pedestrians, motorcyclists and car drivers, all categories of road users. This appears to be inevitable with hot summer weather," she said.

Loigo highlighted a characteristic pattern in Estonian traffic: "In winter, more metal gets damaged in crashes, but in spring and summer, it's people." As soon as the asphalt dries and temperatures rise, the number of serious accidents increases along with a higher number of injured.

Traffic statistics show positive trend

Despite the concerning weekend, the long-term trend is positive. According to Eurostat data, the number of road deaths in Estonia decreased by 38% in 2024 compared to 2023. Thirty-one people were killed in traffic last year. The first half of 2026 also gives Loigo reason for hope: "In the first half of the year we have fewer accidents: fewer fatal traffic accidents, fewer cases with injuries."

Repeated patterns of risky behaviour remain the same, speeding, drink-driving and failure to use safety equipment. Loigo emphasised that such behaviour becomes more frequent precisely during the summer months.

Police increase accountability for violations

Police have clear priorities in traffic enforcement: attention is focused primarily on violations that cause injuries and deaths, and on drivers who pose the greatest risk to other road users.

"The police have been making a very clear distinction in accountability in recent times. With minor violations we may limit ourselves to a conversation, but in the case of serious traffic law violations, the punishment must be proportionate to the offence. This can involve vehicle confiscation, driving licence suspension or even arrest," Loigo explained.