Since 2022, when the ruling Reform Party, together with the Social Democrats and Eesti 200, approved their first state budget, funding for road maintenance has rapidly declined. The result has been pothole-ridden and poorly maintained highways, along with an increase in traffic hazards. Looking at traffic accident statistics from 2024, we see that 69 people lost their lives on Estonian roads last year — the highest figure in recent years.

During the debates leading up to the introduction of the car tax, we repeatedly heard arguments that the money was needed for road maintenance and construction. By now, it is clear that this has nothing to do with public safety and road users' security has been pushed aside. Estonia's political elite refuses to acknowledge that the green agenda is over and instead plans to divert even more budget funds to the bureaucratic Ministry of Climate.

Mismatching words and actions

A striking example of this situation is the recently unveiled plan by Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Svet (SDE), which proposes that the Transport Administration — operating under the Climate Ministry — should receive a brand-new and grand office building in Lasnamäe. According to Svet, this plan has been in place since he assumed his ministerial position.

At the same time, Svet speaks of how the measures that have so far improved traffic safety are no longer sufficient and that more effective solutions must be found, with saving lives becoming a priority. He claims that a broader public discussion on viable solutions is necessary. While this sounds good in theory, the actual plans suggest the opposite, making this so-called public discussion nothing more than an arrogant joke.

It is easy to shift the blame onto drivers, yet state roads are not being properly maintained, road surfaces are left unrepaired, rough sections remain unaddressed and roads are not being cleaned. The national road maintenance plan for 2024-2027 explicitly states that such policies will lead to a worsening traffic situation, increasing the risk of accidents and traffic fatalities. In 2024, Estonia saw a rise in road deaths, which may be directly linked to deteriorating road conditions.

If roads are not properly maintained, they become even more hazardous during winter conditions and rainy weather. Therefore, it is disingenuous for the infrastructure minister to place the blame solely on drivers when the government should be taking a hard look in the mirror.

The road maintenance plan clearly states that state roads require an annual budget of €210 million just to maintain their current condition and make slight improvements. However, in the coming years, the current coalition has allocated an average of only €114.5 million per year — significantly below the necessary amount — leading to further deterioration of road infrastructure.

It is evident that such political choices will place an increasing financial burden on taxpayers, who will eventually have to cover the cost of restoring these deteriorated roads, rather than maintaining them in good condition from the start. Meanwhile, the financial obligations imposed on drivers through the car tax are exacerbated by poor road conditions, resulting in additional vehicle repair costs and shorter vehicle lifespans.

Political choices: Roads versus office buildings

Hypocrisy has become the Social Democrats' slogan, as their contradictory statements have become too numerous to count. They claim to be concerned about the well-being of people living in rural areas, yet they voted in favor of the car tax. Now, they express worry over the rise in traffic fatalities while simultaneously planning to spend millions of euros on constructing a new office building for a government agency. They are willing to invest in concrete and glass, while the safety of road users remains a secondary concern.

Of course, it is important for government institutions to have modern and efficient work environments. However, our priority should first and foremost be ensuring the safety of our people. If the number of traffic fatalities rises, the costs of accidents increase and maintaining a vehicle becomes ever more difficult, then the government must reassess its budget policy and seek ways to invest in road maintenance and traffic safety instead of administrative buildings.

Funding for road maintenance must be increased to ensure the durability of Estonia's roads and the safety of road users. The previous level of road maintenance funding must be restored and adjusted according to inflation and the rising costs of road repairs.

If political decisions were truly based on the protection of human lives, it would be logical to prioritize safe and high-quality roads over new office buildings. The lives and health of Estonians must not be sacrificed to bureaucratic machinery and no amount of hypocritical rhetoric can erase these risks or shift the responsibility onto the people.

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