HAVANA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cuba registered over 8,200 traffic accidents from January to October of 2018, with 553 fatalities, local media reported on Wednesday.

The number of accidents fell considerably compared to the previous year, when 11,187 traffic accidents were recorded with 750 fatalities, Col. Roberto Rodriguez, head of the National Traffic Bureau of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), was quoted by the Cuban News Agency as saying.

Statistics show that 60 percent of those killed and injured in traffic accidents are pedestrians, and 68 percent of them are aged 21 to 56.

The Cuban government aims to reduce traffic accidents by 50 percent by 2030 mainly through road safety education in schools and community measures.

Cuban authorities also systematically inspect vehicles, especially those used for mass transit, to ensure they are in good condition. Authorities said recently more than 2,000 private taxi drivers had been stripped of their licenses due to the poor condition of their vehicles.