Number of road accidents is on the rise in the Republic of Moldova
The number of road accidents in the Republic of Moldova is on the rise. In the first five months of this year, around 750 cases were reported, which is a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from the National Inspectorate of Public Security. These accidents resulted in 59 fatalities, a decrease of 10%, while 850 individuals sustained injuries.
The most common causes of road accidents are excessive speed or failure to adapt to weather and road conditions, as well as a failure to give priority to pedestrians. Pavel Apostol, head of the Road Safety Directorate at the National Inspectorate of Public Security, shared this information during the show "Spațiul Public." He also noted that driving under the influence of alcohol continues to lead to serious accidents, although the statistical share of these cases is decreasing.
Pavel Apostol mentioned that approximately 42% of all road accidents occur in the municipality of Chișinău, followed by Bălți, Cahul, and the national routes leading to the capital. He stressed the need for better-rated and adapted road infrastructure for all traffic participants, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists. Apostol highlighted that authorities have a clear record for each driver, allowing for individualised penalties based on the severity and frequency of violations.
“For certain categories of offences, police could suspend the right to drive for a specified period for about a year or two. In cases of more serious offenses that warrant revocation of driving privileges, the files are sent to the appropriate authorities, who make decisions based on the law until a final verdict is reached. There are also avenues for appeals.”
Dorin Ciornîi, the Director of the Chișinău Electric Transport Company, warned that congestion in the capital is the primary cause of road accidents. He pointed out that collisions between vehicles are becoming more frequent, indicating increased traffic speed. Ciornîi suggests revising speed limits, many of which date back to the Soviet era, and implementing stricter traffic control measures.
“In road engineering, there is a concept known as 'design speed,' which refers to the speed for which a road was calculated and constructed. This does not always align with the legal speed. Most roads in the Republic of Moldova have speed limits set during the Soviet era, typically at 90 km/h, regardless of whether they are national or local roads. These limits should be updated to facilitate more effective traffic management, based on the actual characteristics of the road. The goal is to ensure that infrastructure elements and driver behaviour are psychologically in harmony, meaning driving at the speed that the road suggests, rather than merely adhering to legal mandates. This approach can significantly enhance road safety.”
Ilie Bricicaru, the director of the Road Safety Observatory at the Technical University of Moldova, believes that the quality of driver training in the Republic of Moldova remains a serious issue. He highlighted the imbalance between theoretical and practical training at driving schools, which he believes directly impacts driver behavior on the road.
“For a long time, the focus has been almost exclusively on theory. My analysis shows that approximately 75% of training hours for category B drivers were dedicated to the theoretical component, with only 25% allocated for practical training. Although this balance improved somewhat, I believe practical training should be at least equal to, if not more extensive than, the theoretical component. I did not observe driving schools placing sufficient emphasis on essential safety practices, such as wearing seat belts or helmets. Furthermore, the exam requires comprehensive knowledge without ensuring that students have received adequate training.”
According to statistical data, in 2024, there were 2,009 road accidents, an increase of 33 compared to the previous year. The number of fatalities resulting from these accidents also rose slightly to 209, while 2,369 individuals sustained various injuries.
