Russian Roads Become More Treacherous

In 2023, for the first time in a decade, the number of accidents in Russia increased by 6 percent compared to the previous year. For the first time in 12 years, the number of road accident victims also rose: fatalities increased by 2.7 percent, and injuries by 5.7 percent. Over the year, 14,700 people died in traffic incidents in Russia, according to research by Esli Byt Tochnym ("If One is Being Accurate") project.

One reason for the rise is the redistribution of traffic flows from the west to southeastern Russia. This reflects increased trade with Turkey, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and China, leading to an increase in accidents caused by trucks.

Most truck accidents occur in the North Caucasus and Siberian regions, where Russian exports to China, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan transit. Additionally, the Southern Federal District links Russia to occupied territories of Ukraine, many of which have been developed over the past two years of Russia's War in Ukraine.

At the same time, the number of accidents involving passenger cars has also risen. Experts attribute this to sanctions and the exit of Western automakers from Russia. "The main factors driving the rise in accidents are the deteriorating quality of cars amid an aging vehicle fleet, a slow renewal rate, or the replacement of vehicles with those that do not meet safety standards," said Anton Shaparin, vice president of the National Automobile Union.

Shaparin suggested that Russian-made AvtoVAZ vehicles, which have taken a significant share of the updated fleet in the past two years, may be part of the problem. In 2023, 31 percent of cars purchased by Russians were Ladas made by AvtoVAZ, compared to just 21 percent in 2019.

“As for AvtoVAZ, these are, frankly speaking, unsafe cars that lack airbags, electronic systems, or driver assistance features,” Shaparin said.

Another contributing factor is the poor quality of road infrastructure. In 2022, only half of Russia’s regional and inter-municipal roads met regulatory requirements.