Montenegro launches regional road safety campaign

The Transport Community has launched a regional campaign titled ‘A Moment for Life’ to increase road safety awareness across the Western Balkans. The initiative encourages all road users to use seatbelts, secure children in appropriate seats, and wear helmets, noting that these actions take less than a minute but can save lives.

Data presented during the launch highlights a significant safety gap in Montenegro. The country reports 107 road fatalities per million inhabitants, which is more than double the European Union average. In the Western Balkans, the mortality rate stands at 78 per million, compared to the EU average of 43.

Statistics show that seatbelt usage in Montenegro is lower than regional averages, with approximately 59.6% of drivers and 48.2% of adult passengers using them. Additionally, only 57.1% of children are placed in proper child safety seats. Transport Minister Radoš Zečević noted that seatbelts can reduce the risk of death for front-seat occupants by up to 50%, while proper child seats can reduce child mortality in accidents by approximately 60%.