The people’s deputies of Ukraine, scientists, representatives of the ministries, departments and NGOs participated in the discussion.
The bill (Reg. No. 4927, refined) was presented by one of the authors –
the people’s deputy I.Shkiria. He noted that critical situation on the
Ukrainian roads dictates the need to completely renew road traffic safety legislation
and bring it in line with the European standards. 293 road traffic
accidents with almost 37 thousand of dead and 286 thousand of injured have
occurred in Ukraine
for the past five years. “Human life is priceless. However, the situation on the roads directly affects the state. According to estimates of the World Bank, Ukraine’s economic damage from the loss of productive workforce and rehabilitation as a result of road traffic accidents is equal to approximately USD 5 billion,” stressed I.Shkiria.
The people’s deputy noted that the bill aims to comprehensively settle main principles of state policy on securing road traffic safety in Ukraine with a view to decreasing the rate of deaths, traumatism and disability on roads. In particular, the bill suggests expanding functions of public associations.
The bill stipulates also that state bodies and bodies of local self-government will be able to involve public associations and citizens for consultations on the draft decisions and regulatory legal acts in the sphere of road traffic and road traffic safety. The bill provides the possibility of participation of members of the public in the work of the newly established consultative bodies.
Other participants of the round table discussion noted that this
document suggests introducing European standards in resolving the issue of road
traffic safety. Under the systemic approach, suggested in the bill, the ministries of infrastructure, public health, internal affairs, education and science, economic development and trade, social policy, as well as the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and bodies of local self-government will all bear joint liability for resolving road traffic safety problems.
Participants of discussion noted that preconditions for the establishment of public control over the activity of state structures are presupposed in the bill.
Representatives of NGOs and public associations informed that they participated in elaboration of the bill. They deem that adoption and implementation of the bill will allow significantly decrease both the death rate and accident incidence rate.
Participants of the round table discussion believe that “a systemic approach to resolving road traffic safety problems, suggested in the bill, will allow stabilize and improve the situation on national roads.”