Yuksalish nationwide movement intends to promote the issue of reducing the maximum speed limit on roads in cities and towns from 70 km/h to 60 km/h.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, each year in the republic an average of about 9-10 thousand traffic accidents occur. In 2018, 2,262 people became victims of road accidents in Uzbekistan. Compared to 2017, the death toll decreased by 8.5% (from 2,473 people), but this figure still remains very high - 6 people a day.
The movement notes that in the world there are not many countries, where the speed limit is as high as 70 km/h. In a number of CIS countries, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the maximum permitted speed in settlements is 60 km/h. Starting from January 1, 2019, Ukraine, as a measure to reduce road accidents, cut speed limit from 60 to 50 km/h.
“By reducing the average speed by only 5%, we can reduce the number of fatal road crashes by almost three times. Because, the higher the speed, the longer the braking distance, and therefore the risk of a road traffic accident increases. At a speed of 70 km/h, it takes the car around 47 m to completely stop,” the organization notes.
Yuksalish movement considers it urgent to develop a public transport network and expand recreational areas in the central parts of cities. Public participation in the process of designing road infrastructure and monitoring the implementation of such projects is important.
It is proposed to carry out a large-scale campaign to inform the public (both drivers and pedestrians) about the rules of road safety with an emphasis on the use of seat belts, child restraints and the consequences of speeding.