The International Transport Forum (ITF), an international organization uniting 69 countries, is launching a project to develop a ten-year National Road Safety Strategy for Ukraine.
The request was submitted by the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. This is the first project to be implemented within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Development and the International Transport Forum.
The development of a new Strategy for Ukraine will be carried out through the Common Interest Group for Transport of Ukraine (CIG4U) of the International Transport Forum together with the road safety charity EASST.
The new National Road Safety Strategy will create the basis for a significant reduction in the number of fatal accidents over the next decade. It will be based on the Safe System Approach, a recognized methodology that helps reduce the number of serious road accidents and save lives.
This approach involves data-based decision-making, as well as shared responsibility of state institutions and society.
According to the National Police, in 2024, more than 3 thousand people died on Ukrainian roads as a result of road accidents. At the same time, last year, the number of road accidents involving licensed transport (according to data from the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety) increased by almost 25% compared to 2023. This is specifically about trucks and buses.
The created strategy will be directly related to the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine until 2030 and will identify road safety as a key factor in sustainable socio-economic development and reconstruction of the country.
A separate priority will be barrier-free travel – ensuring access to work, education, medicine and other services for people with limited mobility thanks to a modern, convenient and barrier-free transport infrastructure.
The implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy is planned for 2026.
Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.
“Road safety is a matter of life and health of Ukrainians. The development of an appropriate Strategy, and most importantly its practical implementation, will prevent deaths and injuries of Ukrainians on the roads. We see successful international examples of the implementation of such strategies, which proves their effectiveness and necessity. Therefore, we are grateful to our partners from the International Transport Forum, and especially Sweden, for their willingness to work together on this project,” emphasized Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Serhiy Derkach.
Andreas Carlsson, Minister for Transport and Housing of Sweden, Co-Chair of the Common Interest Group for Transport in Ukraine (CIG4U), said: “Sweden is proud to stand with Ukraine in creating a safe transport future. The Safe System approach was born from the belief that no death on the road is acceptable. The work on the new National Road Safety Strategy for Ukraine reflects our shared commitment to protecting lives even in the most difficult times.”
Yong Tae Kim, ITF General Secretary, added: “Every loss of life on Ukraine’s roads is an avoidable tragedy. I am pleased that the ITF will support its trusted partner, Ukraine, in developing a new National Road Safety Strategy. It will become the basis for safer, more inclusive mobility and help preserve what is most precious – the lives of Ukrainians.” (Ministry of Development)