Across Russia, road safety metrics are showing a continued improvement in the early six months of the year. The number of traffic accidents has declined by 7.2 percent compared with the previous period, while the overall toll of victims decreased to 5,651 people, down 3.9 percent. Injuries among road users reached about 67.7 thousand, reflecting a 7.5 percent drop. These figures come from analyses reported by Izvestia, citing data from the Interior Ministry. The trend toward safer roads appears to be supported by a combination of infrastructure improvements, tighter enforcement, and a growing sense of responsibility among drivers and pedestrians alike.
Three broad factors seem to be shaping this normalization: better road networks that reduce risk points, stricter penalties that deter violations, and a cadre of road users who act more conscientiously. The result is not a single miracle cure but a steady reduction in risk across multiple fronts. When taken together, these measures help create a safer driving environment and lower the likelihood of severe crashes on major corridors and local streets alike.
Turning to specific indicators, the number of crashes involving drunk drivers dropped sharply by 20 percent in the first half of the year, reaching 5,295 incidents. This decline is linked to the ongoing, coordinated work of traffic police and the growing habit among motorists to report impaired driving when observed. Such community vigilance plays a crucial role in interrupting dangerous behavior before it leads to an accident, reinforcing a culture of accountability on the road.
Another notable development concerns the once-contentious issue of vehicle inspections. Even after the de facto suspension of the formal technical check for passenger cars, the share of accidents attributed to vehicle defects did not rise; instead, it fell by 21.2 percent. This outcome suggests that other elements—such as routine maintenance, vehicle condition awareness, and stricter overall enforcement—continue to matter more than the formal inspection status alone. In parallel, incidents involving children decreased by 3.4 percent, totaling 8,516 cases, and there was a marked 27 percent drop in accidents at railway crossing points, registering 73 episodes.
Amid these gains, several challenges persist. One area of concern is policy regarding electric mobility devices, which has lagged behind the rapid rise of such technologies. The number of accidents involving Individual Mobility Devices (IM) has grown significantly, rising 2.7 times compared with the previous period. From the start of the year through the reporting window, 370 IM-related cases have been recorded, compared with 135 during the same timeframe a year earlier. This trend underscores the need for clear, practical regulations that address safety standards, operator responsibilities, and infrastructure adaptation to accommodate a new class of urban travelers while protecting pedestrians and other road users.