Armenia’s road safety problem is critical

Armenia is facing a crisis in road safety, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The rate of road traffic fatalities in Armenia is 18.3/100,000 population according to the WHO 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety. This is the highest rate in any Eastern European or Caucasus country, and costs an estimated 4.62% of GDP/year. Establishing partnerships with local authorities is a vital step towards improving road safety, saving lives and developing the economy. EASST partner Poghos Shahinyan,
March 9, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Armenia is facing a crisis in road safety, according to the 3263 World Health Organisation (WHO). The rate of road traffic fatalities in Armenia is 18.3/100,000 population according to the WHO 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety. This is the highest rate in any Eastern European or Caucasus country, and costs an estimated 4.62% of GDP/year.


Establishing partnerships with local authorities is a vital step towards improving road safety, saving lives and developing the economy. 8874 EASST partner Poghos Shahinyan, executive director of the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Armenian National Road Safety Council false https://www.easst.co.uk/armenia/ false false%>, recently visited the rural Shirak region of Armenia to meet with the governor, Arthur Khachatryan. During the meeting they discussed a variety of issues related to road traffic regulation in the region – particularly in the regional capital, Gyumri.

In Gyumri there is a lot to be achieved – street markings need updating while both drivers and pedestrians frequently flout traffic safety rules. Not only in Gyumri, but also globally, there is a need to change public attitudes to road safety from one that focuses on risk takers to one that understands the importance of sustainable mobility and a safe system approach for everyone.

As an initial step, Poghos has suggested introducing the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external EASST Road Safety Education Pack false https://www.easst.co.uk/easst-road-safety-education-pack/ false false%>to schools in Gyumri. The %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external introduction of the pack in Yerevan false https://www.easst.co.uk/safer-journeys-to-school-for-children-in-armenia/ false false%>has already seen 1000 children trained and led to a commitment from local road police to put on extra patrols around school gates.

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