By Sabina Idayatova, Azernews
Employees of traffic police continue to take measures to combat gross violations of traffic rules by wedding convoy cars, Baku State Traffic Police department head Vagif Asadov said Monday.
According to Asadov, five accidents involving the cars of wedding convoys have occurred in the city over the past three months, injuring three people.
"The congratulatory signs covering the state license plate of the car, etc. were considered as an offense by the traffic police during raids conducted in the first quarter [of 2013] as regards the establishment of discipline among the drivers of wedding convoys [invisibility of the car's license plate], for which 14 drivers were brought to administrative responsibility," Asadov said.
In accordance with the law, 32 drivers violating the dual-lane requirement, 61 drivers violating right-of-way at intersections, improper overtaking and maneuvering were brought to account. Also, 53 drivers were punished for inappropriate use of signals, 23 for reckless driving during high-speed driving, as well as 9 drivers of vehicles on which operators were recording the motorcade on video who were creating traffic congestion, according to Asadov.
Asadov further said that the traffic police will continue to monitor the movement of wedding convoys in Baku, and their movement will be tracked through roadside cameras.
"The administration of the Baku State Traffic Police calls on the population, owners and drivers of vehicles, in particular wedding hosts, to comply with the law on the roads and not to interfere with other traffic participants. Otherwise, according to the requirements of the law, appropriate punitive action will be immediately taken," Asadov said.
Furthermore, the city trafic police warned the car owners driving with tinted windows.
The traffic police once again reminded the car owners that in accordance with the norms established by the State Agency on Standardization, Metrology and Patents, as well as the requirements contained in the Law on Road Traffic, driving cars with curtains, films and other items limiting the visibility and transparency of the glass is forbidden.
"The placement of films or blinds is permitted only on rear windows of the car. Furthermore, the installation of glass and "chameleon" mirrors is also banned," Asadov said.
According to Asadov, the toning of all windows and the windshield of the car is prohibited unambiguously.
Moreover, the use of curtains, usually installed on the rear doors' windows of the car, is also banned, Asadov noted.
In this regard, Azerbaijan's parliament passed a law on April 5 to increase the relevant fine from 50 to 150 manats (up to about $190), in keeping with the Code of Administrative Offences. The law is expected to enter into force after the President signs it.