In 2023 Russia recorded 132.4 thousand traffic accidents, marking a 4.5% rise from the previous year, according to figures cited by Kommersant and based on data from the State Traffic Inspectorate. The year also saw 14.5 thousand fatalities, up 2.3% compared with 2022, and 166.5 thousand injuries, up 4.3%. These numbers reflect a trend toward more incidents and greater harm on the roads across many regions.
Among the regions, the sharpest increases in accident numbers occurred in Kalmykia, where incidents climbed by 35.6%, followed by the Omsk region with a 32.5% rise and Tyva at 24.9%. Conversely, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Chukotka, and Mordovia posted the largest declines, with accident rates dropping by 30%, 23.5%, and 16.5% respectively. The distribution highlights how traffic risk can vary dramatically even within a single country, influenced by local road conditions, enforcement, and driver behavior.
Looking at absolute totals, Moscow led in the number of traffic accidents with 8.1 thousand incidents, an increase of 5.3% year over year, while Krasnodar Territory reported 6.15 thousand accidents, up 6%. In terms of fatalities, Kalmykia saw the most pronounced surge, rising by 92.2%, followed by Karelia at 72.3% and Ivanovo at 43.9%. Yet some regions managed to improve safety outcomes, with Chukotka recording a 66.7% decrease in deaths, the Republic of Mari El a 46.8% drop, and the Pskov region a 31.2% reduction in fatalities by the end of 2023. These regional contrasts underscore the impact of targeted road safety measures and enforcement efforts as the year closed.
Addressing the broader safety challenge, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized a clear objective during a meeting with members of the Council of Ministers early in 2024. The aim is not only to reach parity with prior safety levels but to actively reduce both the number of road accidents and the resulting deaths. This statement aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen traffic discipline and improve emergency response, recognizing that every avoided crash means a real gain for road users across the nation.
Following that stance, officials announced that targeted checks would intensify on Moscow roads, with a series of raids planned to curb impaired driving from late February. The intention is to deter reckless behavior and encourage drivers to take responsibility, especially in high-traffic hours and congested corridors. Authorities urged the public to report drivers displaying signs of intoxication or behaving dangerously, reinforcing a shared duty to keep roads safer for everyone.
Prior to these cautions, Putin directed the government to propose updates to traffic rules, signaling a willingness to modernize legislation in line with evolving road safety needs. The goal is to equip enforcement agencies with clearer authorities and to simplify compliance for road users, ultimately driving down accident rates and protecting lives. The ongoing dialogue between the executive branch, the traffic inspectorate, and regional authorities reflects a comprehensive approach to road safety that combines enforcement, education, and legislative modernization. As the year unfolds, observers watch how policy measures translate into real-world results on streets across Russia, offering potential lessons for other countries facing similar safety challenges.