Ukraine authorities start massive raids of passenger carriers in efforts to curb road accidents rise

The State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety (Ukrtransbezpeka) inspected a total of 1,230 vehicles with 326 violations detected, with 71 cases related to the working conditions and rest hours.

Over two days of inspections of passenger carriers, 158 cases were highlighted where companies had been operating without proper licenses.

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"A total of 1,230 vehicles have been inspected with 326 violations detected, of which 71 were related to working conditions and rest regime. Some 158 violations, accounting for 13% of the total number of checked vehicles, were related to the lack of licenses among 'gray' or illegal carriers," the Service reported as of 17:30 on Sunday, July 22, following the two-day inspection.

Ukrtransbezpeka also noted that the probable cause of a deadly road accident on July 20 where 10 people in an intercity bus shuttle had been killed and another 10 injured was the driver falling asleep at the wheel due to the lack of proper rest.