"The Abkhaz are dwindling, it's time to wake up."
By Vitaly Sharia | Ekho Kavkaza
“Chief of the Traffic Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia, Valentin Trapsh, will step down from his position,” announced Robert Kiut, head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia, during an extraordinary session of parliament last Monday. The session was convened due to a fatal accident in the village of Eshera, which resulted in the deaths of three people. It is worth noting that the previous Chief of Traffic Police, Rodik Bazba, was also dismissed following an accident that claimed five lives.
The session, held on June 8, addressed the increasing number of traffic accidents, prompted by another fatal accident in Upper Eshera. On July 7, David Gulia, driving a Nissan Teana while intoxicated, crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with another vehicle, killing three people and injuring one. Gulia is now facing criminal charges for violating traffic rules under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the negligent death of two or more persons, with a potential prison sentence of 10 to 12 years. He is currently under guard at the central military hospital.
This accident is far from the first this year. According to data provided to parliament, in the first six months of 2024, there were 70 traffic accidents in Abkhazia, resulting in 20 deaths and 84 injuries.
Robert Kiut attributed the catastrophic situation on Abkhazia's roads to the tourist season and drunk drivers. The Traffic Police are unable to cope due to a staffing shortage, as the minimum salary of 30,000 rubles ($330) is not attractive to potential employees. However, the minister announced the forthcoming resignation of the Chief of the Traffic Police. It is unclear how this will resolve the issues since Valentin Trapsh has been in this position for a very short time. Just over a year ago, in May 2023, the previous minister, Valter Butba, dismissed the former Chief of Traffic Police, Rodik Bazba, and several of his subordinates. This also followed a car accident near the Abkhaz village of Abgarhuk, which resulted in the deaths of five young people aged 25 to 35 in a single vehicle.
After discussing the current situation, the parliament issued a statement calling on law enforcement agencies to adhere to the basic principles of road safety, to strengthen control over vehicular traffic, and to ensure the inevitability of penalties for traffic violations. Deputies also urged citizens and visitors to the republic to be vigilant and to follow traffic rules. A parliamentary commission was created to coordinate activities with internal affairs bodies.
Comments from politicians and social media users following the parliamentary discussion were filled with pessimism.
The Telegram channel “Aiashara” posted the following comment:
“There have been numerous meetings, sessions, round tables, and pointless discussions about the deteriorating road situation in Abkhazia. They talked, discussed, and dispersed. Even penalties for drunk driving were toughened. The result – minimal. And most importantly, who checks the flashy cars, fully tinted vehicles, AAA-plated cars, officials’ cars, and those of their close circle? Who checks the inspectors themselves, who enjoy a drink just like ordinary people? In our country, even in these matters, they managed to introduce their own set of rules that exclude ‘their own’ violators. The country continues to lose its youth... Continues to lose its future... And no meetings or talks about 'improved' statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs will help when the state is not interested in saving the lives of its citizens...”
Leuan Lagulaa, the editor-in-chief of "ApsnyHabar," wrote about the overall road situation:
“I didn’t want to say anything about this topic in the heat of the moment, other than offering condolences to everyone who lost loved ones these days. But when I got home in the evening, I watched a report on this topic from the parliament. According to international experience and the deputy minister of internal affairs, toughening measures do not yield results, yet they want to toughen them. Simply raising salaries cannot increase prestige... Neither the parliament nor the Ministry of Internal Affairs has any remotely considered strategy for dealing with this catastrophic situation. And yes, of course, the president doesn’t have such a strategy either. To solve this or any other pressing issue, the government and society need to move in the same direction, not rush towards each other at full speed. You can't resolve the road situation with such a level of corruption. It’s simply impossible. It’s unrealistic. It won't happen!”
Social media users were equally unanimous in their assessments.
Narsou Kudzhba:
“The higher the fine, the richer the traffic police. It is necessary to explain to the youth, both in driving schools and in general schools, that Abkhazians are dwindling, it’s time to wake up. Increasing the fine amount does not add awareness. The same applies to drugs. If the Ministry of Internal Affairs starts conducting awareness campaigns with citizens, I think the situation will improve.”
A.Sh.:
“What’s the point of increasing fines??? The fines are already substantial, and more of these fines will only increase corruption... It’s better to even reduce the fines and install licensed cameras, and have the fines sent by mail, regardless of who was driving, a high-ranking official or a farmer... And this system should work for everyone... The roads need to be brought into order and much is required from the state for comfortable driving...”
Aksakal:
“I watched the minister’s speech, a sad sight. The whole world has gone through this long ago, there’s no need to invent anything, just take the experience of any civilised country and adopt it. But then you will have to punish those who violate the rules a hundred times a day, and I don't think our authorities are ready for this. Once again, I say: right there opposite the MVO, cars drive a hundred times a day, ignoring the double solid line, are they all drunk? Start with this, when people see impunity for years, what will they do?”
Nuzhnaya Gazeta" reminded its readers once again:
“One of President Bzhaniya’s campaign promises was to address the issue of road accidents. Aslan Bzhaniya assured voters that he would voluntarily resign if he failed to halve the number of road accidents.”
This article was published by Ekho Kavkaza and is translated from Russian.
Abkhazian Roads: Law or Anarchy?
OKNO Telegram Channel
Over the past week, five people have died in road accidents in Abkhazia, three of them last night. Most of the victims were young people, with the main cause of the accidents being drunk driving.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, in the first six months of 2024, 70 road accidents were recorded, resulting in 20 fatalities and 84 injuries. For comparison, during the same period in 2023, there were 71 accidents, with 28 fatalities and 80 injuries. In 2023, a total of 186 road accidents were registered, resulting in 57 deaths and 264 injuries. In 2022, there were 214 accidents, 64 fatalities, and 296 injuries.
Robert Kiut, the Minister of Internal Affairs, proposed stricter penalties for drunk driving. He also suggested making the names of drunk drivers public and temporarily confiscating vehicles for repeat offences.
Last year, deputies toughened the penalties for drunk driving, but the road situation remains challenging. The deputies have decided to establish a commission to address road safety.
Neglect of traffic rules is such an entrenched problem that it seems to be acknowledged only when accident statistics rise again. Endless meetings and the creation of various commissions may not change the road situation unless strict measures for constant driving safety control are implemented. Not all accidents are thoroughly investigated, and not all perpetrators are held accountable. Serious traffic violations often stem from negligence toward minor infractions. Naturally, corruption also plays a role in road safety issues, occurring at various stages—from obtaining driving licenses to selective enforcement of penalties.
In Abkhazia, wearing seat belts seems optional, although global statistics indicate that seat belts help save lives in 70% of accidents. Poor road conditions also contribute negatively. Additionally, a significant risk factor is the presence of many right-hand drive cars, which are designed for left-hand traffic roads.
Reactive measures to accidents and stricter administrative penalties do not appear to deter drivers effectively. It is evident that the traffic police do not focus sufficiently on preventing traffic violations.
This article was published by OKNO Telegram Channel and is translated from Russian.