Abkhazia Faces Critical Road Safety Crisis as Traffic Accidents Surge
Abkhazia faces one of the world's highest rates of traffic-related fatalities, losing 60 to 80 lives annually on its roads.
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― Abkhazia is facing a critical situation on its roads as traffic accidents continue to claim lives at an alarming rate. Over the past week alone, five people have died in road accidents, Interior Minister Robert Kiut reported at a meeting with the State Traffic Police. This adds to the growing concern over road safety in the republic.
According to the ministry's press service, most victims were young people, with drunk driving identified as the primary cause of these incidents. The Interior Ministry leadership has described the situation on the roads as critical, citing insufficient control measures.
Deputy Minister Beslan Chkadua stated that efforts will be intensified, including the resumption of patrols in all districts with staff rotation. These patrols will focus on identifying intoxicated drivers.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigative division of the Sukhum District Department of Internal Affairs has initiated a criminal case against David Gulia, born in 1998, under Article 263, Part 6 of the Criminal Code. The Ministry has reported that the situation with traffic accidents is critical. Gulia is accused of violating traffic rules while intoxicated, resulting in the negligent deaths of two or more individuals.
The accident occurred in the village of Eshera, Sukhum District, around 9:45 PM on July 7th. Gulia, driving a Nissan Teana while intoxicated, attempted to overtake another vehicle, entered the oncoming lane, and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The crash resulted in three fatalities and one individual being hospitalized with injuries. Gulia has been placed under guard in the central military hospital.
For this offence, the criminal code stipulates a prison sentence of 10 to 12 years, along with a driving ban for up to three years.
The current road safety situation has become a matter of national security.
The road safety crisis was also discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on defence and national security, attended by Robert Kiut and Beslan Chkadua.
Interior Minister Robert Kiut has proposed stricter punishments for traffic offenders, suggesting public naming of violators, increased penalties for repeat offences, and vehicle confiscation in some cases.
Deputy Minister Beslan Chkadua announced plans to install 50 new cameras along the main republican highway this year. These advanced cameras will detect speeding and record other violations such as crossing solid lines, driving into oncoming traffic, and using mobile phones while driving.
Currently, these violations are identified manually by traffic officers. However, a significant staffing shortage in the traffic police, with each district lacking 30-40% of the required personnel, makes it impossible to monitor all road sections effectively.
The situation is dire, with Abkhazia facing one of the world's highest rates of traffic-related fatalities. In 2023 alone, the country registered 186 road traffic accidents, resulting in 57 fatalities and 264 injuries. On average, Abkhazia loses 60 to 80 lives annually due to road accidents.
Interior Minister Robert Kiut has acknowledged the rising accident rates and high road fatalities, urging increased efforts from traffic police. In a recent meeting at the State Traffic Police Department, Kiut and Deputy Minister Beslan Chkadua described the situation as "severe and even critical." Statistics show that driver behaviour is the primary cause of accidents.
Adgur Ardzinba, leader of the Abkhazian People's Movement, has called for radical changes in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and traffic police, stating that road accidents have become a national security threat. He proposed prioritising seatbelt use, drunk driving prevention, and speed control under presidential oversight.
Authorities are exploring various measures to address the crisis. The installation of traffic cameras has been proposed as a potential solution, with plans to increase the number of cameras along the main motorway. However, challenges remain, including the high cost of equipment and maintenance, as well as incidents of vandalism.
Public figures like Izolda Khagba, a member of the Public Chamber, emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach involving not just law enforcement but also families and society as a whole. Khagba stresses the importance of public condemnation of reckless driving behaviours and setting positive examples for younger generations.
According to data presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to Parliament, Abkhazia witnessed 70 road traffic accidents in the first six months of 2024. These accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and 84 injuries.
The poor condition of Abkhazia's roads, particularly the central motorway with numerous potholes, is cited as an additional factor contributing to accidents. This highlights the urgent need for road repairs and maintenance to improve overall safety.
As the situation reaches a critical point, there are calls for immediate action from all sectors of society. The Parliament of Abkhazia has issued a statement urging law enforcement to ensure strict adherence to traffic rules and calling on citizens to practise responsible driving. A parliamentary commission has also been established to coordinate efforts between the National Assembly and internal affairs bodies to enhance road safety.
With the summer tourist season already underway and accident rates typically higher during this period, authorities and citizens alike are being urged to take all necessary measures to prevent further loss of life on Abkhazia's roads.