The Central Asian countries are considering creating a legal entity to improve road safety. This was announced by Yerkanat Zaitov, Vision Zero project manager of Sergek Group, at the National Urban Forum in Bishkek.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Central Asian countries have similar positions in road traffic deaths. Kazakhstan ranks 107th and Kyrgyzstan 108th. The situation is slightly worse in Turkmenistan, which ranks 103rd, and Tajikistan (87th). Uzbekistan has a lower mortality rate, ranking 117th.

Yerkanat Zaitov said observations show that drivers who regularly violate traffic rules often cause fatal accidents. An aggressive driving style is witnessed in the region, with drivers striving to go faster, even though it saves only 40 seconds on average, or at best one minute.

‘We realise that it is important not only to repair roads but also to work with drivers’ mindset, changing their attitude to safety,’ Zaitov stressed, adding that since 2019, Kazakhstan has been implementing a similar strategy, which can be adapted for other Central Asian countries.

It is planned that the company to be created will closely cooperate with the IT sector, and the innovative technologies' use will be a key area of work. This will enable the rapid exchange of information and experience between the countries, and should ultimately help reduce the number of fatal road accidents.

In addition, Yerkanat Zaitov reminded that as part of the fight against violations on the roads Kazakhstan began to fine cars with foreign licence plates. Some drivers, knowing that they would not face fines, deliberately violated the rules.