According to 2023 data, there are approximately 1.47 billion cars in the world. This number is constantly growing, because buying a car is a dream of almost every person. Having your own car makes life much easier, because a person can immediately go where he needs to go, without waiting for a taxi and especially a bus. There are many good cars, but smooth roads are not laid everywhere. In Russia, roads are generally considered a disaster, because they are full of unevenness, due to which there can be no talk of a calm ride. Is there any country with good roads? According to the road rating, there are countries in the world that lay excellent road surfaces. And Russia is far from the very end of this list – there are many countries with such terrible roads that all our highways will seem ideal in comparison.
Contents
- 1 Rating of countries with the best roads
- 2 Where are the best roads in the world
- 3 Singapore's roads are not ideal
- 4 The worst roads in the world
- 5 Why are the roads in Russia bad
Rating of countries with the best roads
The ranking of the best roads in the world is periodically compiled by the Global Economy organization. It evaluates the quality of the road surface in 141 countries on a 7-point scale. In the latest version of the ranking for 2019, Singapore took first place. This Asian city-state received 6.5 points, slightly ahead of the Netherlands, which had previously led. In addition to Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Japan were in the top five.
The main criterion for the rating is the quality of the road surface, but other factors are also taken into account. For example, the level of road fatalities and how well all regions of the country are provided with them.
Although the data for 2019 is the last available, by 2024 the situation has hardly changed, and the leading countries retain their positions.
Where are the best roads in the world
Singapore's roads are so good that one of the Formula 1 championship rounds is regularly held right on the city streets.
The races take place on the Marina Bay Circuit, which is made up of real city streets. Opened in 2008 and illuminated by thousands of floodlights, the circuit literally sparkles against the backdrop of Singapore's futuristic landscape, making for a spectacular spectacle.
The track is unique in its technical features. It runs along the city streets and is counter-clockwise, which requires maximum concentration from the pilots. On the long straight, racing cars accelerate to 300 km/h, and on the turns, the speed drops below 100 km/h.
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Singapore's Roads Are Not Perfect
Despite the fact that Singapore's roads are at the top of the rating, locals believe that there are no perfect roads and there are always reasons to complain. One of the experts noted that although there are no cracks or potholes on the roads, small bumps are still noticeable. Moreover, it does not matter whether a person is driving an expensive or cheap car. In his opinion, heavy traffic prevents road services from fixing such defects in a timely manner.
Of course, Singaporeans do not face the problems that other countries have. For example, in Chad, where the roads received a record low of 1.9 points, the situation looks like a complete nightmare.
The worst roads in the world
The roads of Chad, a republic in Central Africa, have been recognized as the worst roads in the world. In the Global Economy rating, they scored only 1.9 points out of a possible 7. Asphalt roads are a rarity in this republic; even in the capital N'Djamena, there are almost none. Most of the roads are compacted dirt or sand. During the rainy season, traffic in the country almost completely stops.
At night, the situation on the roads becomes even worse: they are not lit, and many drivers do not turn on their headlights, which makes the trip dangerous. In the dark, you can stumble upon cows or goats wandering along the roadway. During the day, traffic is also difficult, because the streets are overloaded with vehicles that are chaotically distributed across the lanes.
Add to all this, there are non-working traffic lights and a complete disregard for traffic rules. Surprisingly, Chad is not the only country with such problems. Similar conditions can be found in several other African countries.
Related article:Why are roads often repaired in the rain and snow?
Why are the roads in Russia bad?
Although Russian roads are often criticized, their rating of 3.5 points on the Global Economy scale still indicates that the situation is not so catastrophic. Yes, there are problems with quality and compliance with standards, but still the situation is not as critical as it seems at first glance.
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