In Odessa, the first changes have been implemented following a high-profile traffic accident near the museum

The first changes to traffic management have been implemented on the dangerous stretch of Sofiivska Street near the Odesa Art Museum—guidance posts have been installed there in front of the crosswalk.

This was announced by Petro Obukhov, a member of the Odessa City Council.

According to him, the work was carried out by the municipal enterprise SMEP. The guide posts narrow the traffic lane, making it much more difficult to drive through this section at high speeds—specifically, 70–90 kilometers per hour. As a result, drivers automatically slow down, giving them more time to notice pedestrians and stop in time.

As the council member noted, similar measures have long been used in many European cities for so-called “traffic calming,” where the road infrastructure itself encourages drivers to maintain a safe speed.

The need for changes arose after yet another traffic accident that occurred in mid-July at a crosswalk near the museum. At that time, a car struck an employee of the Odesa Art Museum, as reported by Intent.

Following this, the museum staff publicly appealed to city authorities to review the traffic organization at the intersection of Sofiivska Street and Roitburda Lane.

According to museum staff, this section has long been dangerous for pedestrians due to heavy traffic and high vehicle speeds.

The museum emphasized that in the past year alone, they have witnessed several accidents involving people crossing the street at this very crosswalk.

The situation becomes particularly difficult in winter. Due to the downward slope of the road, icy conditions, and the lack of street lighting, drivers often fail to brake in time or notice pedestrians too late.

According to the museum, back in January, the administration twice appealed to the Odesa City Council requesting the installation of speed-reduction measures. At that time, officials refused, deeming the proposed changes unnecessary.

Ірина Глухова