Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Olim Saidov, Head of Traffic Safety Service of the Department of Public Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan launched the Road Safety Week in Uzbekistan as part of the global campaign.

The goal of the global road safety week is to draw attention to the problem of high deaths and injuries as a result of road traffic accidents. This year's global campaign aims to reduce traffic speeds because high speed is one of the main factors leading to the loss of lives and serious injuries.

“Road traffic injuries continue to be a major public health problem and a leading cause of death, injury and disability in children and young people worldwide. Around 3,000 children and young people are killed or seriously injured on the world's roads every day. These deaths are largely preventable,” said Munir Mammadzade.

In the first three months of this year, 1469 road traffic accidents were registered in Uzbekistan, of which 204 involved children, 39 of which ended in death. Among the affected children, the majority were in the adolescent age group. The main causes of accidents were speeding (455), non-compliance with traffic rules (110) and lack of necessary infrastructure (250), including the lack of pedestrian crossings (804).

“Recently, large-scale work has been done in Uzbekistan to reduce the number of road accidents. A Republican Special Commission for Road Safety has been established, headed by the Prime Minister. In all regions, events are held under the motto "Traffic discipline begins in childhood." However, we must remember that ensuring traffic safety on the roads is not only the responsibility of officials and institutions. This is our common task,” said Olim Saidov.

The experience of some countries demonstrates that traffic accidents are completely preventable through prudent investments. The following measures can lead to a significant reduction in child fatalities in traffic accidents:

strengthening national legislation and policies that enforce law for all road users, including teenagers and youth;

infrastructure and post-accident services;

• school zone improvement programs and design of fines system for traffic violations in the area around schools;
• design and implementation of a reliable system for issuing driver's licenses to new drivers;
• design and implementation of road safety training programs for school children;
• design and implementation of effective public information;
• support for civil society organizations.

UNICEF will support the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the Ministry of the Interior in conducting a Road Safety Review, the findings of which will inform the development of a new policy aimed at making the roads safe for children.