– Karaganda region, unfortunately, is one of the anti-leaders in the number of fatal accidents (according to qamqor.gov.kz data for 2023). At the same time, compared to other regions of Kazakhstan, in the Karaganda region road accidents occur less frequently (3% of registered road accidents), but every fourth of them was fatal, says the expert.
If we talk specifically about problems, then in Karaganda, for example, it is impossible to get from the Western part of the city to the Eastern part on foot or by bicycle, because the existing overpasses, and there are more than 5 of them in the city, are not equipped for the movement of pedestrians or cyclists along them. Thus, the approaches to the overpasses along Bukhar-Zhyrau and Gogol are not equipped with uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, although there is active traffic there.
Also in Karaganda there is not a single dedicated lane for public transport, although the main streets, for example Bukhar Zhyrau or Republic Avenue, are technically ready for dedicated lanes – there are three lanes in one direction and three lanes in the other, the specialist notes.
– In general, there is something to strive for. At the same time, I see that our administration is doing what it can. For me, as a resident, the positive changes are noticeable. The development of the public transport system over the past 2 years is especially noticeable: from the appearance of new comfortable bus stops to the renewal of the fleet of buses and minibuses. The State Institution “Department of Public Utilities, Highways and Passenger Transport” of the city of Karaganda knows what the Vision Zero Concept is, and they themselves initiate positive changes in the organization of the city’s traffic. Thus, a “Safety Island” appeared at the Station Station stop.
We asked Aziza Talaspayeva about the goal of “zero road deaths.”
– I am an adherent of the international concept of Vision Zero, also called “zero deaths”. Today, this is the only working tool to combat high mortality and injuries in road accidents. It is promoted by the UN, WHO, non-governmental research organizations and other institutions.
In short: Vision Zero is about “death on the roads is unacceptable.” There are many dangers that may not appear so at first glance, but according to Viison Zero they are. According to the Vision Zero Concept, when designing a traffic pattern, one cannot rely only on the law-abiding and conscientiousness of road users. Vision Zero methods are primarily physical, that is, the Vision Zero approach is to make sure that the road environment does not allow a person to physically commit a fatal accident or, if an accident does occur, to get by with light damage rather than severe injuries.
– I gain my experience through research projects; in the implementation of these projects, akimats and the police play a big role, who implement the Viison Zero solutions I proposed. For example, in Astana in 2023, in the Shapagat quarter, my Viison Zero solutions developed as part of the study of the Fading TSE platform were implemented. Another example: within the framework of the project “Safe way to school. Karaganda” from Urban Forum Kazakhstan developed Viison Zero solutions for the area around school No. 64 and school No. 44. My area of interest is the prevention of accidents involving child pedestrians using the Viison Zero Concept.
2024-04-30 11:54:44