Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In recent years, a number of measures have been taken in our country to prevent road accidents. But despite this, it cannot be said that there are many positive changes in this direction. Unfortunately, some drivers continue to violate traffic rules.

Some specialists and experts suggest toughening the punishment. However, it is difficult to achieve the main goal. It is important to note that it is impossible to prevent road accidents without creating a high legal culture among all road users.

This is also indicated by the analysis of the current situation. According to the Road Traffic Safety Service of the Department of Public Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, over the seven months of this year, 4,772 road accidents were recorded in the republic. Of these, 2,453 or 51.4% were committed for subjective reasons, that is, due to drivers’ failure to comply with traffic rules.

All of the above incidents could not have happened if drivers had followed traffic rules. It is sad that over the past seven months in Uzbekistan, 1,115 people have died as a result of road accidents, and 4,564 people have received various injuries.

It is worth paying attention to one figure - 1,078 or 96.7% of those killed in road accidents were not wearing seat belts. As industry experts note, many passengers in cars sitting in the front seats could have survived an accident if the passengers sitting behind them had been wearing seat belts. According to them, the risk of a front-seat passenger dying during an accident increases fivefold if the passengers in the back are not wearing seat belts.

According to statistics from the Road Safety Service of the Department of Public Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, types of road accidents include collisions with pedestrians, car collisions and others.

According to the Tashkent City Internal Affairs Directorate, 675 road accidents were registered in the capital during seven months of 2023. As a result of the accident, 71 people died and 787 received various injuries. The most common cause of accidents was speeding – 199 cases. In 90 cases, drivers ignored the prohibiting traffic light signal, 8 accidents occurred with the participation of drivers in a state of intoxication.

The above figures once again confirm the fact that most road users do not follow traffic rules. As a result, the number of accidents is increasing.

In fact, as soon as drivers leave the house, they must obey the rules of the road, including wearing seat belts. According to Article 125 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility, failure by drivers to comply with the rules for using seat belts when driving vehicles and transporting passengers entails a fine in the amount of one half of the basic calculated amount.

However, evidence indicates that many drivers still do not wear seat belts on a regular basis and do not follow basic traffic rules.

On 4 April 2022, the Presidential Decree “On measures to reliably ensure human safety and a sharp reduction in deaths on highways” was adopted.

In this document, increasing the culture of compliance with traffic rules by drivers and pedestrians, ensuring the inevitability of punishment for any offense, organizing the instillation of the basics of traffic rules from childhood, and introducing this practice in preschool education organizations and secondary schools are identified as relevant areas for ensuring road safety.

On 26 May 2023, the Senate Committee on Defense and Security heard information from the heads of responsible ministries and departments on the status of the work being carried out to implement the above Presidential Decree. It was noted that of the specified tasks in the resolution, 21 were completed, 6 regulatory and other acts were adopted.

Studies have shown that the promotion of traffic rules among the population is still not effective and efficient; there are not enough materials in the media and social networks aimed at improving the culture of citizens in this direction.

In conclusion, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that in improving the legal culture of road users, not only employees of internal affairs bodies, but also representatives of the education system, civil society institutions and public organizations should play an important role. In addition, it is more important than ever to end legal nihilism, increase legal awareness and strengthen road safety advocacy.

Burkhanov Kutbidin,

Chairman of the Committee on Issues

defense and security,

Senate of the Oliy Majlis