1135 traffic accidents have been registered in Armenia within the first 7 months of 2011, said head of traffic patrol service of the RA road police.

According to Norik Sargsyan, 150 people died and 1697 suffered as a result of traffic accidents, the number of which grew by 143 compared to the same period in 2010.

He explained the growth by the operating law on compulsory car insurance. “The drivers would avoid calling the police before, but now they are waiting for the police officers and insurers to arrive even in case of a slightest collision,” Sargsyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

According to him, the import of vehicles has formidably grown. “More than 15 thous. cars were imported to Armenia over the 7 past months.” He also added that in 2010-2011 the number of vehicles grew by 35 000.

Asked when police radars will be installed to fix roads violations, Sargsyan said the process under way and by the end of the year special devices will have been installed at 10 cross-roads of Yerevan.