The reason these countries have such a high rate of accidents is that almost no one began driving until the early 90's. Before that, they were part of the Soviet Union and couldn't afford to buy cars. Now they can, and for the last ten years it's been like driving in a country of teen-aged drivers.

As you mentioned, alcohol is also probably a factor. I can't speak for Lithuania or Estonia, but in Latvia, there is certainly a lot of drinking going on. We lived on the main street in Riga -- Brivibas iela -- and always had drunks wandering into the first level of our stairwell and relieving themselves. Seeing people passed out drunk was an everyday occurrence.

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