Hayk Sargsyan: Road-Traffic accidents significantly decreased in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Over the past year, 1640 road-traffic accidents were registered in Armenia; as a result, 363 individuals died and 2260 received serious bodily damages. In comparison with last year, the accidents have decreased by 176, with the number of victims and wounded individuals having been reduced by 70 and 30 respectively," Hayk Sargsyan, Head of Planning, Recording and Analysis Department of Road Traffic Police, told today a news conference.



With regard to traffic accidents in Yerevan, he said that their number reached 666, with 56 individuals dying and 866 - receiving injuries. In comparison with last year, accidents in Armenian capital have decreased by 76, with the number of dead and injured being reduced by 21 and 17 respectively.



"It is impossible to definitely state the reason, but such decrease was expected as a result of complex operations launched by traffic police. Both drivers and pedestrians have become more law-abiding," Sargsyan noted.



In response to a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter's question he also said that "We do not have any law envisaging privileges for cars with state plates, so their owners should abide by laws like all other citizens."



Sargsyan also said that in 2009, 1800 pedestrians have been fined for crossing roads from the wrong place. But traffic police are not inclined to fine citizens. They are more inclined to explain the traffic rules to pedestrians and drivers.