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Law enforcement authorities in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul region have launched a campaign to improve public knowledge of traffic regulations. As part of the initiative, information boards explaining the meaning of road signs have been installed along major roads. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the campaign aims to promote better understanding and adherence to traffic laws among both drivers and pedestrians. In addition to roadside boards, educational content is being disseminated via LED screens and billboards across the region. “The main objective of the campaign is to help citizens better understand and follow traffic rules. These materials will be useful for both drivers and pedestrians, and are also aimed at improving overall road safety,” the ministry noted. Official statistics indicate that Kyrgyzstan ranks third among Central Asian countries for the number of traffic accidents, with one in three incidents attributed to violations of rules of the road by drivers. “Our efforts are aimed at ensuring road safety in the Issyk-Kul region. Compliance with traffic rules is important for each of us and is a guarantee of safety for both us and other road users,” stated the regional Department of Internal Affairs. The initiative comes amid broader concerns about driving standards in Kyrgyzstan. Earlier this year, government officials revealed that more than half of all driver's licenses in the country were obtained illegally, a disclosure that has spurred new efforts to enforce compliance and raise road safety standards nationwide.
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK) will hold a competition among its members to test their knowledge of traffic regulations. The participants will include mosque imams and staff from DUMK's central office, according to a statement on the Muftiate's official Facebook page. The initiative follows a recent meeting between DUMK representatives and officials from Kyrgyzstan’s Main Directorate of Road Traffic Safety (DGUOBDD). Traffic police emphasized the importance of promoting traffic rule compliance among the public, and particularly among the faithful, highlighting the clergy’s influential role in society. “To effectively promote road safety, religious leaders themselves must be well-versed in traffic laws,” said a DUMK spokesperson. “Shariah places great value on human life, which is why it mandates adherence to rules that protect it, including traffic regulations.” Addressing a Rising Crisis Traffic violations and accidents are a persistent issue in Kyrgyzstan. The DUMK noted that the National Statistical Committee records road accidents approximately every 90 minutes across the country. The situation is especially serious in rural areas. In response, the Muftiate has been conducting awareness campaigns in mosques nationwide for several years, including the ongoing “Human Life Above All” initiative aimed at reinforcing the religious imperative to safeguard life. Government Push for Compliance The clergy-led effort aligns with a broader push by the Kyrgyz government to enhance road safety. Starting in September 2025, drivers who commit traffic violations will be subject to on-the-spot knowledge tests, under a policy introduced by President Sadyr Japarov. This cooperation between religious and state institutions reflects a growing effort to integrate moral authority into public safety campaigns, particularly in a country where religious leaders remain influential community figures.
