I’d like to start this article with the words of the famous Russian writer Gogol. He said: “There are two main troubles in Russia: fools and roads”. I guess I’d like to correct this statement a little bit – the main trouble in Russia is fools on the roads - and that is the truth.
Nowadays Russia is ranked number one in the world mortality and serious consequences related to car accidents. Largely due to government corruption, the condition of the roads has always been a key factor in this situation. Many of the federal roads (highways) don’t answer the world’s standard; about 40% of them have to be reconstructed. As for territorial roads (local), the situation is even more pitiful.
I believe the problem of safety on the roads is primarily a social problem. According to statistics, 315,000 people died and more than 2 million of people were seriously injured in car accidents in Russia during the last 10 years. Just think for a second – that can equal an entire city population!
In state it as a “social problem” because of the drivers and their attitudes toward each other, policy and pedestrians. In Russia 75% of drivers break the rules. The majority of accidents are a result of driving under influence of alcohol or drugs, breaking speed limits and driving into oncoming traffic. In the USA such actions often result in suspension or revocation of the perpetrator’s driver’s license. Russia is woefully behind the times in addressing consequences and even safety in comparison. For example, Russia has only just recently mandated use of seat-belts for all drivers. Modern light switching systems for intersections were only just recently being updates as well. Lastly, black market licenses are regularly purchased
like an off the shelf commodity with no training, education or testing to control who obtains one. Such drivers are very dangerous for others.

Another important thing I’d like to point out is police corruption. In Russia, to stay a while on the roads is a “good way” for inspectors to earn money. They can always find some issues to encourage several bribes in one day. It’s said that a person can call and complain afterwards, but proving the offense is a another matter. In the USA if a driver is stopped by a police inspector, he/she is almost always stopped for a valid reason. The policemen generally treat people respectfully. The fines are usually high, but I think such practices help to prevent car accidents. What I really don’t like about driving in the USA is that two violations can constitute a felony! It’s kind of silly. A felony suggests a terrible crime and that seems hardly comparable with certain road violations.

Last, but not least strange thing for me when I moved in the USA was the drivers’ attitude toward pedestrians. I was impressed by the way drivers treated them. Pedestrians like customers here are always right, even if they are not really. In Russia pedestrians can be for sure called “potential victims”, as drivers often ignore their presence on the roads. If a pedestrian didn’t manage to cross the road it’s considered to be just his/her problem.

In conclusion, I’d like to use a phrase I’ve discovered for myself recently – “a man in the box”. I think many drivers in Russia and some in the USA are always “in the boxes”. I understand that we are all in a hurry to rush home after a difficult day, but if we see people as people, not as objects… if we respect each other’s needs and cares, there will be fewer accidents on the roads.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pm and is filed under Observations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.