Azerbaijan, Baku, July 2 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
Tightening of the administrative penalty for violation of traffic rules, primarily introduced for prevention, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said in an interview with the Azerbaijan newspaper today.
"On the other hand, there are specific reasons for increasing fines for violations. The change in the sanctions of the administrative violations of traffic rules section of the Administrative Code adopted in 2000, was made three years ago - in 2007. Seven years that have passed since the adoption of the Code was marked by a period of progress and prosperity for our country. Azerbaijan took its place among the rapidly developing countries on economic growth. Over the years the country's state budget has increased more than eightfold. Of course, the rapid socio-economic development helped to improve welfare, including an increase in revenue. Same rules were already outdated and their non-comply with the current requirements lead to a serious weakening of discipline in the observance of traffic rules," Usubov said.
He said that all the sanctions of the Administrative Code, including violations of traffic rules were revised from this point of view.
"I will also note that even after the increase in sanctions, fines for violating traffic rules in our country several times lower than used in European countries. For example, the fine for running a red light forbidden prescribed in the Code of Administrative Offences, lower than in Norway - 16 times, Spain - 7 times, Germany and Denmark - 5 times, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece - 4, the UK, Austria, Italy - 3 times and France Netherlands, Ireland - 2 times," Usubov said.
About 2,792 road accidents that killed 930 people and wounded 3,040 took place in 2009 due to the violation of the rules of overtaking maneuver, driving at high speed and in a drunken state and non-distance and other such administrative violations.
Usubov also replied to the question of service of the traffic police stations outside the driver's visibility.
"The ministry receives complaints over the issue. Experience shows that most drivers that drive a car at high speed leaving the opposite lane and provoking an emergency situation reduce speed, approaching the positions of road patrol and thus they deceive only themselves. Such people are not complying with driver's discipline and etiquette, and pose a serious threat to the health and lives of people. Such illegal actions often lead to accidents or, at best, considerable damage to property of citizens. I believe that every man should consciously approach the issue of compliance with traffic regulations. If he is not in compliance, the identification of violations by drivers is necessary and simultaneously, this should be regarded as an action aimed at ensuring road safety and bringing benefit to the citizens," Usubov said.
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