Yearly Road Traffic Accident Statistics Announced for Abkhazia
Abkhazia, despite its small population of 250,000, faces a disproportionately high rate of traffic-related fatalities.
SUKHUM / AQW'A — In 2023, there were 186 road traffic accidents recorded on the roads of Abkhazia, according to Valentin Trapsh, the head of the Traffic Police at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during a report meeting.
"For the reporting period of 2023 in the Republic of Abkhazia, 186 road traffic accidents were registered, resulting in 57 fatalities and 264 injuries. For the same period in 2022, there were 214 traffic accidents, resulting in 64 deaths and 296 injuries," he added.
Thus, Trapsh noted, compared to the year before last, in 2023 there were 28 fewer accidents, the number of victims decreased by seven, and the injured by 23.
The main causes of these accidents, as noted in a meeting, remain to be lane departures, speeding, violations of intersection and pedestrian crossing rules. Abkhazia faces one of the world's highest rates of traffic-related fatalities, with an annual toll of 60 to 80 lives lost on the roads.
However, the meeting highlighted that the statistics in the Gudauta District remain the most concerning, as it continues to be the "leader" in the number of car accidents for several years. From January to December 2023, there were 53 accidents in the district, resulting in 25 deaths and 56 injuries. This is nine more accidents than the previous year.
Abkhazia's Minister of Internal Affairs, Robert Kiut, instructed to intensify efforts to prevent road accidents, noting that the number of vehicles in the republic is increasing each year. He prioritized the inevitability of punishment for drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To enhance road safety, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is implementing an automatic violation detection program. In the near future, 17 photo and video cameras will be installed on the republican highway, and by 2025, their number is expected to increase to 50.