PRISTINA – Almost half of passenger car drivers observed in Kosovo were not wearing a seat belt, according to WESTBELT research. Among adult rear-seat passengers on urban roads, just 0.9% wore one. These findings underline the urgency of the “A Moment for Life” road safety campaign, launched today in Pristina to encourage everyone to buckle up, wherever they sit and however short their journey.
Implemented jointly by the ministries responsible for transport across the Western Balkans and the Transport Community, the regional campaign promotes everyday actions that protect lives: fastening seat belts, securing children in appropriate restraint systems and wearing properly fastened helmets when travelling by motorcycle, moped or bicycle.
The campaign launch brought together representatives of the Transport Community, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and representatives of road safety institutions from Kosovo.
“Improving road safety is central to our work to bring the region’s transport systems closer to European Union standards. Through the Next Generation Road Safety Action Plan and the Western Balkans Road Safety Observatory, we support stronger institutions, reliable data and practical action across safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road-user behaviour and effective post-crash care,” said Tālis Linkaits, Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, and added that the message to every road user is simple: fasten your seat belt, protect your children and wear your helmet when riding.
Zef Morina, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Kosovo, underlined that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will continue to support initiatives of this kind and remain committed to improving road safety in Kosovo, with the shared objective of achieving fewer crashes, fewer casualties, and safer roads for everyone.
Jeton Rexhepi of Kosovo Police highlighted that the Kosovo Police’s strategic plans prioritise road safety and that through cooperation with local and international institutions, the police have worked to improve traffic safety and reduce road crashes, particularly those resulting in fatalities.
“This campaign, under the slogan “A Moment for Life”, is vitally important for all of us, particularly in encouraging road users to comply with the legal requirement for both drivers and passengers to wear seat belts,” Rexhepi pointed out.
The WESTBELT findings presented in the campaign materials show that seat belt use among passenger car drivers in Kosovo stood at 53.8%. On urban roads, it fell to 43.6%, meaning that more than half of the drivers observed were travelling without a seat belt.
The gap was even greater among adults in the back seat. Recorded seat belt use was just 0.9% on urban roads, 2.2% on rural roads and 3.6% on motorways. The figures highlight the need to make rear-seat safety a central part of public awareness and enforcement efforts.
Developed through the Transport Community’s WESTBELT project, the research provides evidence to help authorities identify unsafe behaviour and focus road safety measures where they are most needed. The campaign turns these findings into an appeal: before setting off, check that everyone is properly secured.
Drivers can help by reminding their passengers to buckle up and ensuring children travel in suitable restraints. Passengers also have a role, including those in the back seat. Making these actions a habit on every trip is at the heart of “A Moment for Life”.
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* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
