Significant increase in accidents/ Insurers Association: Road maintenance workers' fault, not just drivers'

2026-01-02 13:22:00, Aktualitet CNA

Significant increase in accidents/ Insurers Association: Road maintenance

The Insurers Association of Albania has reacted to the problematic situation created on several road axes in the country, where as a result of bad weather, snow and frost, traffic difficulties and a significant increase in accidents and material damages have been created.

Through a statement, the Association expresses concern that responsibility for these situations is being left solely to vehicle drivers, while entities responsible for road maintenance have clear contractual and legal obligations for road cleaning, salting, installation of signage, risk management and timely notification of citizens.

STATEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INSURERS OF ALBANIA:

Regarding the situation on the road axes of the North and Northeast, as a result of bad weather

The Insurers Association of Albania expresses concern about the situation created on several road axes in the North and Northeast, where bad weather, snow and frost have caused serious traffic difficulties and a significant increase in accidents and material damages.

Under these conditions, it is unacceptable to leave the responsibility solely on vehicle drivers, while road maintenance has clear contractual and legal obligations for cleaning, salting, signage, risk management, and timely notification.

The association notes with concern that in some road segments, the interventions of maintenance contractors have been delayed, insufficient or not at all visible, increasing the risk to citizens, vehicles and public safety.

As is the case in countries in the Region, salting and preventive treatment of critical axes should be a minimum standard (as in Kosovo and North Macedonia), especially during periods of predicted frost and precipitation.

The association emphasizes that the damages that are currently covered by insurance are not only "a consequence of the weather", but also the result of the lack of mandatory maintenance measures. In these cases, the road liability mechanism must function, so as not to leave the entire cost to citizens and insurers.

Transparency and accountability are required for the implementation of maintenance contracts and their monitoring.

Road safety cannot be the "individual responsibility" of drivers alone. It is a shared responsibility and starts with roads that are maintained, salted, and managed according to standards.

The association expresses its readiness for institutional cooperation to build clear and applicable practices for managing road risk during bad weather, in the interest of citizen safety and the stability of the insurance system. /CNA