The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine within the framework of the implementation of the road safety policy is committed to achieving 30% reduction in accidents, injuries and mortality on highways, as well as to working out programs for additional protection of children. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during the All-Ukrainian session on road safety issues. The meeting was held in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytsky region on October 4. The Head of Government pays a working visit to the region.

Before the meeting, Volodymyr Groysman got acquainted with the progress of the construction of the highway H- 03 (Zhytomyr - Chernivtsi) at the site near Kamianets-Podilskyi. This is one of the most problematic road in the region. It has not been repaired since 1970, and because of its complex landscape, it has always been one of the most dangerous highway. More than 100 people per year die on this road section.

In April of this year, major repairs with the expansion of the road surface were kicked off. All road works are being funded from a separate budget program, and the construction project itself is formed taking into account safety requirements.

"We are building new roads, but the security issue can not be forgotten. We have terrible numbers of road traffic mortality rate and road accidents", Volodymyr Groysman said. "As part of the road fund (this year), we have allocated more than UAH 2 billion for carrying out measures on maintenance of road traffic safety".

At the same time, the Head of Government stressed that the road traffic safety is a comprehensive work. Roads are just one of its components, among others things-personal responsibility of the driver and the system of monitoring the situation on the roads.

 "I do not intend on punishing people. But we must understand that the reasons for road accident are, among other things, exceeding speed and neglecting traffic rules. There must be a system of control and driver's responsibility. I always say: the rules of the road are written in blood, and it depends on our decisions how safe our roads will be. I set an objective - to achieve  30% reduction in road accidents, injury and mortality rates.  It's more than hundreds of lives saved", the Head of Government said.

The Prime Minister emphasized the existence of all legislative and financial instruments for creating such a control system.

Background

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in Ukraine since 2005, the number of road deaths has exceeded 74 thousand people. The number of injured - over 600 thousand. Road accidents are one of the most common causes of mortality among the adult population and the second cause of children mortality from 5 to 14 years.

In order to erode this negative trend, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine established a special Coordinating Council on traffic safety, developed and endorsed new road construction standards, and approved and initiated  the introduction of the safety improvement program "500-500-1000". The program envisages construction of traffic circles, island sites and other objects.