Medvedev is right this isn't just about roads, of course they can be much better, some are deplorable. There are two big factors in all this. The first is our psychology, we as Russians accept risk, we don't design it all out, we learn to cope with it, we have a, look after yourself mentality, don't expect others to do it for you. This is excellent and works well in every day life at pedestrian speeds, but enter the car, the speed, the drink, the bad state of the roads, the wish to complete the journey. Then this becomes dangerous, as the risk assessment becomes incorrect, the increased risk is accepted without the necessary increase in mitigation of that risk. Inevitably the statistics win, we increase the risk, whilst doing nothing to guard against it. The net result is in the cemetary. The second factor, which leads from the first is driver education and training. Even if you don't buy your licence and medical papers, you will probably be well under trained to assess risk correctly and thus avoid its tragic consequences in the cemetary. We really still have an attitude of buy the car, get on the road and take it from there. Kangarooing at first, then graduation to few near misses, then finally A to B in a relatively safe fashion, then we do it faster and faster of course, with a few drinks added, and yes we can carry on for a few more hours. So we need start with driver education and training, then enforcement of the laws. However, we have to avoid the western gravy train, of persecution of the motorist to get a stealth tax. Yes we have some interesting 'fines' now, but those need to go. We don't need to replace them with goverment stealth tax. Driver education and training will allow the risk assessment to be corrected and thus allow our natural psychology to do the rest. After that we need to be pulled up a little bit, with reminders from time to time, just to keep us on track as drivers.