The Road Traps hotline represents a collaborative initiative between the Civil Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Main Directorate for Road Safety (GUOBDD) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Its aim is to gather public input on traffic conditions, identify problem areas, and drive practical improvements that keep roads safer and more efficient for all users.
Alexandre Kholodov, deputy chairman of the RF OP Committee on Safety and interaction with the POC, described the project as a means to relieve congestion while remaining responsive to a broad range of road-safety concerns. He emphasized that the hotline will tackle urgent flow issues first, but it will not overlook other legitimate requests from motorists and residents, reflecting a balanced approach to road governance.
From the initial batch of several hundred inquiries, the team reported specific categories. About 65 calls raised questions related to camera installations and the evolving rules surrounding digital enforcement. A further 116 complaints pointed to locations where drivers felt pressured to violate traffic regulations, with these cases typically reviewed by the traffic police for assessment and remedy. In addition, 277 motorists highlighted broader questions about traffic organization, signaling that many concerns extend beyond discrete incidents to systemic patterns of mobility and flow.
Kholodov noted that fewer than half of the calls are framed as traps or schemes, arguing that most submissions contain constructive ideas for improving traffic management. The authorities commit to forwarding all suggestions to regional road-safety commissions and to coordinating with road-works agencies through the Informavtodor platform for analysis and potential implementation when proposals are practical and actionable. This process aims to translate citizen input into real improvements on the ground, supported by data and collaboration among government bodies, engineers, and local communities.
Geographic patterns emerged in the data, with the majority of inquiries revolving around the organization of traffic in Moscow, the Moscow region, and St. Petersburg. Yet motorists in the Sverdlovsk, Rostov, Samara, and Chelyabinsk regions also used the hotline to report issues, signaling a nationwide interest in clearer traffic governance and better road infrastructure. These insights help route attention and resources to where they will have the greatest impact, while preserving a nationwide view of mobility needs across major urban centers and regional corridors.
Responsive guidance and accountability
The Road Traps initiative is designed to empower people to share precise details about time, place, and circumstances, which enhances the ability of authorities to investigate and address concerns. While the platform serves as a conduit for feedback, it also functions as a channel for accountability, encouraging inspectors and officials to apply fair practices and transparent processes in traffic enforcement and governance. The ultimate goal is a more predictable driving environment where rules are clear, enforcement is fair, and infrastructure keeps pace with the realities of daily travel.