With the support of the European Union and the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU’s Bank, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia launched a joint campaign called “Better and safer roads for Georgia” in order to raise awareness on road safety issues.
Car accidents are one of Georgia’s leading causes of fatalities and injuries. Not maintaining a single lane, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol are some significant causes of road accidents in Georgia. The safe transportation of infants and toddlers is also crucial. In the last two years 15,222 persons have been injured during car accidents and 879 persons died, among them 22 children.
“We are building better and safer roads in Georgia together with our partners at EIB as well as in the Government. The communication campaign we have launched can reduce road accidents in Georgia. Too many lives are being taken away every year through accidents that could have been avoided. It is our common responsibility to make the driving environment safer for all people living in Georgia,” said Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union.
“Systematically preventing deaths and serious injuries linked to road crashes is a priority of the EIB, the EU’s bank, which provides finance and expertise for investment projects worldwide,” said Maciej Czura, the Head of the EIB Regional Representation for the South Caucasus. “Improving road infrastructure safety in Georgia has been one of our key priorities since 2007 when the bank began operating in the country. In order to achieve that, the EIB is supporting the Georgian East-West highway project with EUR 1 billion financings guaranteed by the European Union, supplemented with up to EUR 40 million of EU grants to Georgia.”
“The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, together with the Roads Department, has established a great partnership with the EU and its bank, the EIB, throughout the years,” said Koba Gabunia, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia. “We are sure that the road infrastructure projects implemented within this partnership will allow us to develop the Road Connectivity Network in line with international standards, which will also contribute to road safety improvement. The safety components foreseen by us within the international projects will lead us to important results in terms of road traffic safety in the country.”
“Ensuring road traffic safety is a priority for The Ministry of Internal Affairs. While developing the road infrastructure and implementing multiple reforms, accidents on roads and car crashes remain as a challenge. The government made significant legislative changes in 2022 in terms of road safety. The coordinated approach and joining forces will lead us to the improvement of road traffic safety in the country,” Alexandre Darakhvelidze, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, claimed.
The campaign, with the tagline #DoNotRepeatMistake is focused on several concrete issues to raise awareness of the importance of road safety. It will show real stories of real people affected by road accidents. Outdoor banners with road safety messages will be spread throughout five cities of Georgia – Tbilisi, Khashuri, Kutaisi, Zestafoni and Batumi. This will be complemented by outreach through television, online media and social media. The goal is to reach as many drivers as possible and help them become aware of safety risks on the roads.
The road safety campaign is financed by the European Union and its bank, the European Investment Bank, within the framework of the Georgia Transport Connectivity project (GTC). The project aims to enhance Georgia’s connectivity to Europe while reinforcing the safety and quality of the country’s road networks.
