Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Statistics about traffic accidents in Azerbaijan are horrifying and even alarm both drivers and passengers.

Based on official statistics, 2,846 traffic accidents were recorded in 2013, leaving 1,164 dead and 2,948 injured. Most accidents happened due to speeding and violating rules of overtaking.

Automobile-pedestrian accidents account for about 40 percent of the total number of accidents.

News about traffic accidents and their fatal consequences have become frequent for everyday news reports.

Baku State Traffic Police always encourages drivers and pedestrians to follow the traffic rules. Unfortunately, even the scary statistics of traffic accidents for last years do not set people thinking about the enforcement of traffic rules.

Pedestrians were struck by cars in 1,097 traffic accidents last year. As a result, 398 were killed and 784 injured. 78 traffic accidents were committed by drunk drivers in the country in 2013. 32 people were killed and 95 injured in these accidents. 81 children were killed and 268 injured as a result of traffic accidents in Azerbaijan during the reported period.

Baku State Traffic Police recently presented the statistics from January 1 to January 8, 2014, which is also worrying.

16 road accidents took place in Baku, which killed six people and injured 28 others during the reported period.

During this period, 3,697 administrative reports to drivers who violated traffic rules was composed, 52 of them were for driving while intoxicated, 981 - for speeding, 224 - for violating passenger, overtaking and maneuver at intersections, 23 - for driving without a license, 104 - for running a red traffic light, 12 - for disobeying the lawful demands of police, 15 - for the creation of an emergency on the road," Baku State Traffic Police reported.

745 pedestrians who violated traffic rules were brought to administrative responsibility.

The police carried out raids against drivers who violate the rules of parking at the central streets on January 9. As a result more than 100 drivers were brought to administrative responsibility.

Baku State Traffic Police calls drivers to use special parking in Baku, otherwise they will be brought to administrative responsibility. The parking prohibited in almost all the main streets and squares of Baku since Since July 25, 2013. The fine for violating stopping and parking rules is in the amount of 20-60 manats.

Illegal parking is also considered to bee one of the main reasons of traffic jams in Baku with the population of 3 million people. Despite the presence of traffic signs prohibiting parking, some drivers do not follow their requirements, which create problems in the movement of vehicles.

The main traffic rules are not only violated by automobiles, but also by trucks in the city centre. The number of fatal accidents with trucks remains a concern.

Some irresponsible drivers breaking the law and the requirements of the road signs, passing on the road, where the movement of trucks with height exceeding 2.5 meters is prohibited. This creates serious problems for the movement of other vehicles, Azeryolservice JSC of the Azerbaijani Transport Ministry reported.

Government increases penalties and fines against drivers and pedestrians to avoid traffic accidents in the country. But these measures will not be effective unless people realize not only personal responsibility, but also responsibility towards their family. It is not difficult to respect some simple traffic rules such as obey the speed limit, wear a seatbelt, avoid distractions. Otherwise, fatal traffic accidents will continue terrifying people, claiming their lives and changing their destiny to the worst.

Take care of yourself, and save your life and the lives of people most dear to you!