Improving intercity transportation in Georgia becomes one of the key priorities for the Georgian government
EWMI ACCESS supports non-governmental organizations – Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC) Georgia and the Partnership for Road Safety to implement a project aimed at increasing the safety of intercity transport in Georgia.
Thanks to the preliminary research findings conducted within the project, as well as intensive awareness-raising and advocacy campaigning, improving intercity transportation in Georgia has become one of the key priorities for the Georgian government. At the general meeting on December 29, 2016, the government adopted the 2017 Action Plan for the National Road Safety Strategy (order # 2711). The Action Plan envisions adopting and implementing relevant legislative changes to improve the safety of intercity transportation in Georgia, among other issues. The “Partnership for Road Safety” is a member of the advisory council at the Government of Georgia that worked on the development of the Action Plan. CRRC-Georgia and the Partnership for Road Safety will continue their efforts and will be actively involved in this process through providing the government with specific and evidence-based policy recommendations on increasing transport safety in Georgia (with a special emphasis on mini vans).
The EU-Georgia Association Agreement requires that Georgia develop a safe land transport system. The average number of road accident fatalities is twice as high in Georgia in comparison to the EU. Almost one fifth of such accidents occurs on the main east-west highway and involves minibuses. This results in high human costs and impedes land transit, logistics, tourism, and economic growth.
