The Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party has proposed to significantly harshen penalties for drivers who grossly violate traffic regulations.
The party noted that there had been 9,364 traffic accidents last year, resulting in approximately 9,000 injuries and 2,203 deaths.
"The most tragic thing is that a significant ratio of those killed were children. According to statistics, at least one person dies in every four accidents, which is an average of six people per day," Adolat emphasized.
"These tragedies shake the entire society, as they are not only the personal pain of one family but also a blow to the future of the nation. If our children cannot feel safe on the roads, this should be a source of grave concern for all of us and prompt us to take immediate action," the statement reads.
The party has put forward the following initiatives:
1. International Vision Zero program aimed at improving road safety and preventing traffic fatalities shall be implemented.
2. School Neighborhoods Are Safe Zones" program to ensure child safety shall be adopted. The party believes that this program should:
- introduce brightly colored vests, hats, or backpacks with reflective elements for elementary school students;
- develop safe pedestrian routes from home to school;
- establish special traffic regulations (temporary full or partial traffic restrictions) on streets located near schools.
3. The financial liability of drivers who repeatedly violate traffic rules shall be sharply stepped up through raising insurance premium sizes.
4. Double penalties for fatal accidents, especially if the fatality is a minor, and specific strict measures for speeding near educational institutions shall be introduced.
5. License suspension period for drivers who repeatedly exceed the speed limit shall be raised from the current three years to ten years, and also introduce a lifetime license suspension for those who cause fatal accidents while intoxicated.
The party stated that its faction in the parliament will submit a relevant bill.
