Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Latvia Know Before You Go Driving Culture Driving is on the right. • Reckless driving behavior is widespread. Drivers are required to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP), • Many drivers use handheld devices while passport, vehicle registration and proof of third-party insurance. driving. For stays longer than six months, a Latvian driving license is • Drivers are typically aggressive. mandatory. • Dangerous overtaking is common. Latvia has one of the highest rates of road crashes and fatalities in • Adherence to seat belt and child restrains laws Europe. is low. Poor road infrastructure, including lack of lane barriers and surface conditions, are a leading cause of road crashes. • Drivers may not follow traffic rules and Pedestrians account for 35 percent of road traffic fatalities. regulations, including use of turn signals. Blood alcohol limit is below 0.05 g/dl for general population, and • Drivers typically disregard pedestrians, even at below 0.02 g/dl for young or novice drivers. designated crossings. There are 9.3 road deaths per 100,000 people in Latvia, compared • There is a lack of adequate driver training. to 2.8 in Sweden and 3.1 in the UK. • Speeding is common. Road Conditions • There are 70,244 km (43,647 miles) of roads. 15,158 km (9,418 miles) are paved; 55,086 km (34,228 miles) are unpaved. • There is no national motorway system. Roads are divided into State Main Roads (“A” Roads), State Regional Roads (“P” Roads) and State Local Roads (“V” Roads). • “V” Roads are not designated by letter on road signs. • “A” Roads have a corresponding “E” letter and number designating them as also part of the international European road network. • Road conditions vary widely throughout the country. • Secondary roads are often unpaved. • Many road surfaces are damaged or poorly maintained. Deep potholes are common. • Inadequate lighting on main and other roads increases dangers to pedestrians and drivers. • Pedestrian infrastructure is underdeveloped beyond large urban areas. • In many areas of the country, pedestrians must share roadways with motorized vehicles. • Though the largest number of pedestrian fatalities occur on main state roads, all local and regional roads are regarded as high-risk for pedestrians. Factors include poor lighting, lack of sidewalks, underdeveloped crosswalk and crossing light infrastructure, driver disregard of those on foot, and distracted pedestrians and drivers. • Toll roads are common. Vehicles must be equipped with a toll “vignette” displayed in windshield. • Winter driving conditions may be hazardous. Heavy snow, fog and ice are common. Roads are often inadequately cleared. • There are many spontaneous public demonstrations in response to world events. Road travel and public transportation may be disrupted. • The following roads may present particular challenges to motorists: » The P79 located in central Latvia connects the village of Ērgļi in the Ērgļi parish to Koknese on the right bank of the Daugava River in the Koknese municipality. The scenic road is popular with visitors. Most of the 38 km (23.6 mile) road is unpaved. Surfaces may become unstable during and after heavy rains. » The Gaiziņkalns road is located at the highest point in Lativa in the Vidzemes Highlands. The hilly road has a gravel surface and is part of the Gaiziņkalns Nature Park. Snow and ice are common during winter months. Surfaces Source: CIA Factbook ©ASIRT 2020 1 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Latvia may become unstable. » Road construction and improvements are underway in areas of the country. Drivers should be alert to construction-related hazards along sections of the A7 Riga-to-Bauska road, which will become part of the E67 Via Baltic international roadway. The construction includes the Ķekava bypass, which will help alleviate heavy traffic and traffic jams in and out of Riga. Construction is ongoing and involves the building of four multiple junctions, four tunnels, one bridge, seven roundabouts and additional parallel roadways. Regional and Seasonal Conditions • Latvia is subject to severe winter weather conditions and spring flooding. • Heavy snowfall and icy road surfaces present seasonal dangers to motorists and pedestrians. Motorists should be alert to the presence of dangerous black ice on roads (thin, highly transparent ice that blends in with road surfaces and is difficult to see). • Particularly in rural areas, there may be delays clearing snow from roadways. • Thick fog may limit visibility. Many roads are poorly lit. • During heavy rains, standing water may obscure potholes, obstacles and other hazards. • Be familiar with emergency procedures. The Red Cross provides a website and free, downloadable emergency app: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies Public Transportation • Public transportation is generally regarded as safe. • Transportation options include buses, minibuses, trams (which may be referred to as trolleybuses), trains and ferries. • Tickets may be purchased at kiosks, ticket booths or from drivers on board, but must be validated before the beginning of travel. Heavy, on-the-spot fines apply for failure to validate tickets. • There are three cities with tram systems: Riga, Daugavpils and Liepaja. • Multiple companies operate taxis. Taxis are readily available in urban areas, and may be hailed on the street or booked by phone or online. • Only licensed, well-marked taxis should be used. Vehicles should have a yellow or white plate, taxi sign on roof, and a company logo and city name displayed on doors. • The train system is generally reliable. Most routes pass through the capital city of Riga. • The train network includes rail links to neighboring countries including Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Estonia. • There are large ports along the coast. The largest are located in Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja. • Regular ferry service is available between Lativa and Stockholm and Ninashamn in Sweden; and to Travemunde, Germany. Traffic Regulations • Where signs specifically indicate, speeds of 110 kph (68 mph) are allowed on main roads. Maximum Speed Limits • Drivers are required to use headlights at all times. Type of road Maximum speed 50 kph • From dusk until dawn, pedestrians are required to wear Urban areas small reflectors on their clothing. This rule also applies (31 mph) 90 kph during daytime in winter months when visibility is poor. Rural roads (55 mph) • Where signs indicate, lanes may be reserved for public 90 to 100 kph Main roads transport vehicles. (55 to 62 mph) • Drivers must be a minimum of 18 years of age to drive, Always adjust speed according to signage, hazards and weather and at least 21 years of age to rent a vehicle. conditions. Signs are generally pictorial and may not follow European Union conventions. Road Residential Dangerous road Minimum distance Lane change No Road with Direction of Lane traffic surface area verges between vehicles ahead overtaking bus lane main road direction changes ©ASIRT 2020 2 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Latvia • Seat belt use is Riga (Capital) compulsory for »»Traffic is heavy and congested. driver and all »»Many road surfaces are damaged with deep potholes. Driving is not recommended. passengers. »»Public transportation options include bus, tram, trolleybus, train and taxi. • Children below 150 »»Tickets may be purchased from drivers; E-tickets must be registered at readers upon cm (59 inches) in boarding. Not all bus stops are equipped with ticket machines. height, or until their »»Most forms of public transport operate from 5:00 a.m. to just before midnight; a limited feet are able to number of night buses are available after midnight. reach to reach the »»There are 55 bus routes, including express buses and night buses. floor for support, »»Riga International Bus Station offers service 24 hours a day, every day. Routes to nearby are required to use countries are available. a child restraint. »»Riga has 8 tram routes covering the central city area and some outlying neighborhoods. • In vehicles not »»There are 17 trolleybus lines. equipped with seat »»Most taxis are minibuses. belts, children must »»The majority of rail lines pass through the capital city of Riga. travel in the rear »»There is regular ferry service between Riga and Stockholm, Sweden. seat. »»Riga International Airport is 10 km (6.2 miles) southwest of city center. • Helmet use is »»The bus transfer area is located outside of the arrivals area past the car park. Public mandatory for Transport signs direct passengers to the bus stop. motorcycle drivers »»Bus 22 provides direct service to and from city center approximately every 30 minutes. and passengers. »»Express Minibus 322 and Minibus 241 provide routes to different areas of the city. Helmets must be »»Official taxis are located directly beyond the exit of the arrivals terminal. fastened. »»Most major car rental agencies are represented at the airport. • Winter tires are required from Daugavpils December 1 to »»International highway E262 connects to Kaunas, Lithuania and crosses Daugavpils into March 1. Russia. • Studded tires are »»Pedestrians should be cautious; many sidewalks and roads have uneven surfaces, prohibited from May particularly in the historic city center. 1 to Oct. 1. »»Public transportation includes bus, tram and taxi. • By law, all vehicles »»Riga Bus Station is the main bus terminal. must be equipped »»There are three tram routes. Tickets are sold onboard. with two warning »»Direct train service is available to and from Riga up to four times a day. triangles, a first aid »»Trains are also available to Russia. kit, fire extinguisher, »»Multiple bicycle rental agencies are located in the city. Drivers and pedestrians should reflective jacket, and be alert to visitors on bicycles who may not be familiar with local road networks or with spare light bulbs traffic rules. for headlights and »»Use only official taxis. Taxi queues may be found in central city, near the bus terminal taillights.