Editor’s note: On average eight Ukrainians are killed in car accidents every day, according to the National Police. Two deadly car crashes took place in Kyiv on July 24.
Galyna Belyagina
Economist
There have always been accidents with people hurt, but I don’t think it’s just the drivers’ fault. Pedestrians walk how they want. We were taught to look both ways before crossing, while today they just cross. Drivers also drive how they want, break rules and drive under influence – it’s the reality. But what if the driver doesn’t have enough time to stop? As a pedestrian, you have to remember that a car is a transport method – a machine that may or may not stop on time. You must think and watch out for yourself.
Valentyn Shostaka
Economics student
I heard that according to statistics, there are fewer accidents. From there, I can infer that it has become safer on the roads. However, in big cities, there is a lot of visible rule breaking. People are always in a hurry to get to work. Losing track of time, they try to catch up by driving fast and head-on. So, although statistics confirm that it is safer, the accidents that happen are more tragic. The roads are better now, but there are some places that still need improving. However, when the roads were bad, drivers were more careful knowing that there are holes in the roads, and didn’t accelerate as much.
Oleksandr Karpenko
Bank worker
I don’t think it has become any more or less safe. It stayed at the same level as before. Yes, last week there have been incidents and it must show something. Safety, first and foremost, depends on the drivers; also, whether the pedestrians follow the rules. I always cross on the green light, and look both ways, even if it is a one-way street. I am also a driver and noticed that there was more police monitoring in the past. I think it helped in preventing accidents. Now, I don’t really see them. Maybe they are less visible than before, but because of that, I think people drive less carefully – because they don’t see the police. For example, the other day I was looking down from my balcony, and saw a man drinking and immediately driving off.
Martin Misfud
Data center employee
I am from Malta, and having only been here two weeks, I think the safety is quite good. I don’t drive, but I feel safe walking as a pedestrian. I try to follow the rules, but sometimes I notice that in some places, there’s a green light for both – the pedestrians and the drivers. I also know that a lot of new roads are being built, which is good.
Vitaliy Nevinchaniy
Lawyer
I haven’t noticed any changes. Road-wise, if you drive in the center of Kyiv – everything appears fine; when you leave the city limits – there is a hole on a hole in many places. Safety however, stayed the same, and I am a driver.
Maksym Kobzar
Entrepreneur
I drive, and I think that the conditions on the roads are better, but the safety stayed on the same level. It is not even about the safety, but more about the speed limits and parking. I feel that both should be taken more seriously, with stricter regulations. However, these should all be advanced, such as automatic speed detectors. As someone who loves cars, this may cost me more, but there would be a lot more order on the roads. Safety-wise, I hear that nothing changed, even though the road police existed, and no longer does. It is strange that nothing changed from that fact. However, traffic, parking, and crossing walks should all be more regulated.
Ahmad Arman
Interpreter
I have lived here for a year and have not witnessed any pedestrian-involved accidents, while back in Afghanistan, there are a lot of accidents involving cars and pedestrians. I don’t think anything more is needed here to make it safer on the roads. Everything appears fine, and should continue the same way. One thing – sometimes I see cars on the roads that appear to be in very bad conditions. There should be more police control on that, and cars in poor conditions should be taken off the roads and not allowed to drive any more. Also, I have never been stopped or asked for license. There should be more control on checking drivers.
