Report on Gombori Car Accident Released

The Georgian Transport and Roads Association has studied the road section where the minibus accident ended with casualties a few weeks ago.  The accident took place on the Vaziani-Gombori-Telavi road.

“We have witnessed a number of dangerous facts, specifically in Ujarma, where a child was unable to cross a zebra-crossing due to dangerous drivers, and in villages, residents are forced to walk on the road, risking their lives, due to a lack of sidewalks,” the Association report says.

According to the study, “aggressive driving behavior” has been detected in this section of the road.

“In conclusion, we can say that infrastructure is arranged so that it is almost impossible to pass this section of the road without violating traffic rules.  It is extremely dangerous for every driver and pedestrian. Instead of road-signal marks helping the drivers, they provide incorrect information: the signals contradict each other and the warning signs are particularly ignored. The only solution other than prohibiting traffic movement on the Gombori road is having a police patrol crew control the area, though this in itself puts a strain on local police resources. The 27 kilometers of the Tbilisi-Bakurtsikhe-Lagodekhi road is constructed in a way which does not comply with Georgian legislation. The infrastructure of this section of the road has nothing in common with international road safety standards.” the report concludes.

The minibus which was taking pupils on a school trip fell into the ravine on July 9. Four people were killed, including one child.

By Mariam Kukhilava