Law, Safety, and Responsibility: A Meeting with Traffic Inspectorates Held at the KBSU Medical College

A meeting dedicated to preventing road traffic injuries among young people was held at the Medical College of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov. Representatives of the State Traffic Inspectorate and the Public Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs served as key speakers.

Participating in the discussion with students were Zalina Kurmanova, Deputy Head of the Department of Road Traffic Safety, Road Traffic Safety, and Road Traffic Safety of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and Police Lieutenant Colonel; Ruslan Makushev, Chairman of the Public Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic; and Natalya Cherkesova, Head of the KBSU Research Institute of Road Traffic Injuries, member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, and member of the Public Council of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the North Caucasus Federal District.

The key topic of the dialogue was strict adherence to traffic regulations and the strict prohibition on minors driving vehicles.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Zalina Kurmanova explained to the students the harsh realities of road statistics. She placed particular emphasis on the common misconception among teenagers that a license is not required to drive a moped, scooter, or electric scooter (unless it meets certain requirements), and that age is irrelevant. The inspector emphasized that driving any motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license is strictly prohibited.

Zalina Kurmanova spoke in detail about the administrative penalties faced by underage drivers, as well as the significant fines and vehicle confiscations for parents or owners who negligently «entrust the wheel» to children and teenagers.

Ruslan Makushev supported the position of the State Traffic Inspectorate and urged the audience to consider their personal responsibility. He noted that students at the Medical College are future professionals on whom people’s lives and health depend.

«A medical student must be a role model for law-abiding behavior on the road.» «But your responsibility is twofold: you must not only take care of yourself and obey traffic rules, but also know how to provide first aid to those injured in an accident. Understanding the irreparable consequences of reckless driving and disregard for the rules should become your internal stop sign,» Ruslan Makushev told the students.
Meeting participants also discussed pedestrian safety rules at night, the importance of using reflective elements, and how to interact with drivers in today’s congested traffic conditions.

The students asked the guests questions about the intricacies of traffic rules and the consequences of violations. The organizers believe that such meetings help instill in young people a strong understanding that road safety begins with personal choice.