Child seats, rear-seat seat belts and alcohol interlocks: changes to Georgia's traffic rules
New road safety rules in Georgia
Georgia plans to tighten road safety rules under the National Road Safety Strategy for 2026–2030, approved by the government on 5 August 2026. The strategy includes changes in several areas.
At this stage, the measures remain proposals, and some will require further legislative amendments before they can take effect.
What is changing:
- Child seats will become mandatory for pre-school children. This means that when transporting a child of the relevant age, it will no longer be enough simply to seat them in the car or secure them with a standard seat belt.
- Rear-seat seat belts could become mandatory. The government strategy provides for mandatory seat-belt use by passengers sitting in the back. However, authorities must first establish the necessary legal framework and an enforcement mechanism.
- Drunk drivers could be prevented from driving. The strategy provides for the introduction of so-called “alcohol interlocks”. These devices check a driver’s blood alcohol level and prevent the car from starting if it exceeds the permitted limit.
- Georgia plans to establish a standard for alcohol-based ignition interlock systems. Under the strategy, authorities intend to take alcohol interlock technology into account when setting requirements for vehicles entering the Georgian market. The strategy does not, however, call for the immediate installation of such devices in all vehicles in the country.
- Measures to detect drivers under the influence of drugs will be strengthened. The government plans to introduce specialised technical equipment in stages to help detect drug use among drivers. Interior Ministry officers will also undergo additional training to improve the detection of drug-impaired drivers.
- Electric scooter rules could be revised. The strategy calls for a detailed review of existing legislation governing the safe use of electric scooters. The review should lead to recommendations on possible changes. No specific new rules have been announced at this stage, although additional regulation remains under consideration.
- More attention will be paid to pedestrian safety, including children’s safety. The strategy calls for road safety to be incorporated into pre-school education programmes and for educational materials to be developed for parents and children. Authorities also plan to run awareness campaigns for pedestrians on the importance of following traffic rules.
- Infrastructure will be adapted for vulnerable groups. Future infrastructure projects are expected to give greater consideration to the safety of people with disabilities.
The government strategy says seat-belt use is one of the key ways to reduce deaths and serious injuries in road accidents. It pays particular attention to rear-seat seat belts because unrestrained passengers in the back can endanger not only themselves but also people sitting in the front of the vehicle.
The strategy is not limited to introducing new requirements. The government also plans to raise awareness of road safety, run public campaigns and educational programmes, and improve technical tools for detecting violations.
It is important to note that the government strategy sets out some of these measures only in broad terms. Where necessary, authorities will have to introduce additional legislative and regulatory amendments to implement specific commitments.
New road safety rules in Georgia
