Nearly 8,000 infrastructure projects costing a total of UZS 13.5 trillion ($1.1bn) were undertaken across Uzbekistan in 2023 to enhance highway safety and prevent traffic accidents caused by road malfunctions.
The Defense and Security Affairs Committee of the Oliy Majlis convened to address critical issues pertaining to road safety across Uzbekistan on June 26.
The meeting, attended by key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Transport, and educational bodies, stressed a concerted effort to enhance highway safety measures and curb the alarming number of traffic-related fatalities.
The committee session delved into comprehensive reviews of current road safety initiatives and legislative enforcement, highlighting significant strides made in infrastructure development and the ongoing digitization of traffic management systems.
These initiatives have yielded promising results, evidenced by a 7.2% reduction in overall traffic accidents during the first five months of this year. Furthermore, incidents resulting in bodily harm have decreased by 8.7%, reflecting improved safety protocols and heightened public awareness campaigns.
Despite these advancements, the committee acknowledged persistent challenges and identified critical areas necessitating urgent attention. A detailed analysis revealed that 57% of accidents were attributed to road infrastructure shortcomings, while 43% were linked to driver negligence—a statistic highlighting the importance of comprehensive road safety education and enforcement.
Of particular concern were findings indicating that 53.7% of accidents involved pedestrians and cyclists, with a distressing number of incidents occurring near educational institutions lacking adequate safety measures.
Within the first five months of this year alone, 65 schoolchildren lost their lives in traffic accidents, highlighting a pressing need for enhanced pedestrian safety measures around schools.
As of January 1, 2024, efforts are underway to repair 56,100 kilometers of highways, constituting 27% of Uzbekistan's total road network—a critical step towards bolstering infrastructure resilience and ensuring safer travel conditions.
Addressing identified deficiencies, the State Road Safety Service has issued over 5,500 directives aimed at rectifying infrastructure inadequacies, underscoring a proactive approach to road safety management.
The committee session also reviewed enforcement statistics, revealing over 16mn violations recorded in 2023 alone, primarily concerning passenger safety and adherence to traffic regulations. These violations contributed to 2,282 fatalities last year, including 263 children—a stark reminder of the human toll exacted by lax road safety practices.
Geographically, urban centers such as Tashkent reported higher accident rates, with 12.8 accidents per 100,000 inhabitants, underscoring the need for targeted safety interventions in densely populated areas. Regional disparities were also noted, with Samarkand, Fergana, and Surkhandarya regions reporting elevated fatality rates, prompting localized strategies to mitigate road risks.
In response to these findings, the Defense and Security Affairs Committee formulated a series of actionable recommendations aimed at fortifying road safety protocols, enhancing infrastructure standards, and intensifying public awareness campaigns. These measures aim to foster a safer road environment for all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and pedestrians.
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