On 6 May 2019, with initiation of National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, with the support of World Health Organization and in cooperation with NGO “Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads”, opening ceremony of 5th UN Global Road Safety Week was held.
The members of Parliament of Georgia, authorities from the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia; the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia; the Ministry Of Economy And Sustainable Development Of Georgia; the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia; the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health and authorities from Tbilisi City Hall along with representatives of the diplomatic corps attended the press-conference and gave speech. The conference was also attended by World Health Organization Head of Georgia Office, the LEPL Insurance State of Supervision Service of Georgia, representatives of NGO “Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads” and other civil society.
Every year around 1.35 million people die in road accidents and more than 50 million get injured and, subsequently, disabled. Mortality caused by road accidents in population of 5-29 age in total mortality is 1st, and in global mortality is 8th main reasons.
Over 500 people die in road accidents every year in Georgia and more than 9000 get injured. The number of injuries and deaths on roads in Georgia is significantly higher than in some countries of Europe.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, number of road accidents happened in Georgia in 2018 was 6,452, from which 459 people died and 9,047 injured. However, the number of deaths on road accidents reduced in 2018 with 11% compared to 2017, but number or road accidents increased with 6% and injuries – 7%. As for the capital, all three indicators have increased in Tbilisi compared to the previous year: road accidents increased with 6%, people with injuries – 7% and deaths – 4%.
Slogan of the Week is – “SpeakUp, Save Lives”, and the theme – “Leadership for Road Safety” – that aims to ensure safety on roads by taking on leadership by public, civil and private sectors and their joint effort. The event included discussions on following topics: safe infrastructure, safe transportation and careful/law-abiding behavior of people, medical care, current and future plans of the government in that direction, what are the challenges the country is experiencing right now and what support/resources are required in order to receive outcomes.
The event was followed by the discussion.