Study shows “wide-scale” traffic violations by Tbilisi drivers

A new study in Georgia’s capital has revealed alarming data showing Tbilisi drivers frequently violate road rules, and increasing numbers of fatalities on Tbilisi roads.

Four out of every five drivers in Tbilisi fail to give way to pedestrians on zebra crossings located separately from traffic lights, while more than half of pedestrians violate traffic rules while crossing streets, revealed a study by Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads.

The week-long study was carried out in July and involved 306 pedestrian interviewees and 200 drivers. 

The results, released today, come one day after the Ministry of Internal Affairs published data that outlining the number of traffic accidents and fatalities in Georgia in the first six months of the year. The Ministry data showed between January-June 2015, there were 7.61 traffic-related deaths per 100,000 residents; higher than the 4.02 in the same period of 2014.

The Alliance’s Board chairperson Eka Laliashvili said it was "alarming” that the number of fatal accidents in Tbilisi had doubled in the past 12 months, and it was even more concerning when these figures were compared with statistics from European Union (EU) countries.

She said the research had outlined low awareness levels, infrastructure issues and "liberal execution” of rules were the as primary causes of traffic rule violations in Tbilisi.

Other statistics published today in the study showed 60 percent of drivers admitting to speeding "occasionally” while only 28 percent confirming they had been fined for the violation.

Laliashvili told reporters a campaign to raise awareness on the road rules and fines amongst Tbilisi drivers and pedestrians was planned but added the state needed to improve some infrastructure and strictly enforce the law to ensure people followed the road rules.

Deputy Interior Minister Archil Talakvadze said at the press conference a new Ministry program to tackle a number of traffic-related issues was in planning.

"The program includes an upgrade of the auto park, as well as securing the safety of pedestrians via legislation. We will also restrict fines in some directions; for example when drivers do dangerous manoeuvres and violate traffic rules. Administration will be restricted and improved,” Talakvadze announced.

Talakvadze confirmed his office planned to introduce the new regulations and penalties from this October.