Members of the Committee elaborated on, and upheld the Draft Resolution (Reg.No.1211), introduced by the People´s Deputy, V.Moisyk.
During the discussion, People´s Deputies noted that over thirty Bills have been introduced in The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Third-Fifth Convocations, aimed at reducing the accident rate on the country´s roads, and improvements in the mechanism for charging offenders guilty of administrative liability, etc.
A number of steps taken in 1999/2005 to liberalise State Policy in the Road Traffic area, ie decrease fines for Road Traffic violations, deprive Road Inspectors of the right to take away driver´s licences, all aimed at enhancing drivers´ and pedestrians´ road awareness and discipline, have in fact led to the opposite results, despite initial optimism.
It was stressed at the Meeting that the level of road traffic fatalities and injuries in Ukraine today greatly exceeds that of almost every other country in the world (and this trend started in 2001). Reporting on this matter, People´s Deputy, A. Moisyk, emphasized that the number of road accidents resulting in fatalities and injuries has been steadily growing, and exceeded 50,000 in 2006, compared to 34,500 in 2001. When comparing the accident rate in 2006 to that of 2000, Mr. Moisyk stated that the number of road accidents has grown by 45%, the number of fatalities by 42% and those injured by 60%.
A review of road accidents, carried out by him, shows that among the major causes of these statistics are lower standards in driver training, a drastic increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, lack of respect for other road users, failure to adhere to rules and regulations, escaping responsibility for offences, apathy towards the possible outcome of road accidents, slow development of road infrastructure, and lack of efficiency in operations by the personnel of The State Motor Licensing and Inspection Department.
‘The matter of safety on Ukrainian roads has now passed from simply one of disturbing road statistics to one of horrifying proportions which could be considered a National Disaster´, stated Mr Moisyk.
Whereas a large number of Bills have been registered in Parliament, aimed at improving Road Traffic Safety, the Author of the Draft Resolution believes that it would be worthwhile to determine a general vector of Legal regulation of this Nationwide problem.
Therefore, People´s Deputies attach great importance to holding Parliamentary Hearings on, ‘Safety on Ukraine´s Roads to ensure Safety of Life´, since the problem of Health and Safety of those on in Ukrainian roads gives rise to general concern, and requires urgent Legislative regulation.