Given that the road network of Estonia has largely been developed, it is not economically viable to pursue significant reductions in travel times and distances. Therefore, road management planning is based first and foremost on the principle of creating safe conditions for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The ultimate goal is to save at least 254 lives and prevent serious injuries to at least 950 people between 2016 and 2025. The actions needed to achieve this are outlined in the road traffic safety programme, the implementation of which is co-ordinated by the Traffic Committee appointed by the Government of the Republic. The current version of the programme extends until 2025. Traffic management is governed by the Road Traffic Act.
Road Traffic Safety Programme 2016–2025
It is unacceptable for any person to be killed or seriously injured in road traffic. In decision-making within the road traffic safety system, the primary goal is to ensure maximum road traffic safety at all levels. The approach to road safety is based on the philosophical principle of Vision Zero.
Vision Zero is not an objective of the road traffic safety programme, but rather a strategic framework shapes the approach to road traffic safety, guiding the conclusions and actions that follow.
To achieve the road traffic safety objectives, the focus is on three key areas affecting road traffic safety:
- Responsible and risk-aware road users
- Safe environment
- Safe vehicle
Road management
In Estonia, the road network is generally divided into national roads and local roads.
With the entry into force of the Building Code and the repeal of the Roads Act on 1 July 2015, new formal requirements were introduced for notices in the field of road management, building permits, use and occupancy permits and their applications. These formal requirements are laid out in Regulation No 67 of the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of 19 June 2015 ‘Formal Requirements for Notices, Building Permits, Use and Occupancy Permits and Their Applications and the Procedure for the Submission of Applications’.
Applications are processed by the competent authority: the Transport Administration for national roads and the local authority for local roads and private roads accessible to the public.
The maintenance and development of national roads falls within the competence of the Transport Administration. The maintenance of national roads if funded under the road management plan approved by the Government of the Republic. Road management funds, including external funds, are allocated for each financial year in the state budget.
In September 2018, the Government of the Republic approved the State Road Management Plan for 2018–2022.
The road management plan provides an overview of the foundations of road maintenance financing and the planning principles that determine the prioritisation of road maintenance works on Estonian national roads. It outlines the works to be undertaken using the funds allocated for the maintenance, development and administration of the road network and analyses their necessity and volume.
The road management plan includes, among other things, a list of construction and reconstructions sites on roads within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and their years or implementation. The list of other roads to be reconstructed is approved by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure.
The maintenance and development of local roads is organised autonomously by local governments. To support local road management, the states provides support covering up to ten percent of total road management costs. Additionally, external funds are allocated for local road investments during each EU budget period.
The support for the management of local roads is divided into two:
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Formula-based support
It is reflected under item ‘Support fund’ in the budget of the Ministry of Finance.
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Case-based support
It is reflected under item ‘Management of publicly used local roads’ in the budget of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
The proportions and volumes of formula- and case-based support are determined separately for each financial year.
Last updated: 30.07.2025
