Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

The Interior Ministry's Central Traffic Police Department urged drivers and pedestrians to be more responsible.

Today, many drivers talk on the phone, solve certain issues and problems of their own while driving. People who are sitting in a car need to focus fully on the road, Head of the Department, Police Major General Ramiz Zeynalov told Trend Agency.

"There are many cars on the roads, so if the driver is distracted even for a moment, collision with another car is inevitable," he added.

Zeynalov noted that 523 accidents on the roads were registered in the first quarter of 2014, as a result of which 232 people died and 499 people were injured.

Zeynalov said the analyses show that the number of traffic accidents decreased by 123 compared to the same period in 2013 thanks to the undertaken measures.

The number of traffic accidents registered in 2013 was 2,846, as a result of which 1,164 people died and 2,948 people were injured.

He urged the drivers to realize the consequences of driving a car in a weary state or under psychological stress.

Zeynalov noted that the weather also influences the drivers.

"Research shows that sudden weather changes and strong magnetic storms affect the weather-sensitive people negatively, and more road accidents are registered in such days," he said. "The driver should know that he is healthy and his car is in good shape, and then consider whether he can fully concentrate on the road. Otherwise, it may cause irreparable damage."

He went on to say that 101,000 pedestrians were brought to administrative proceedings only in 2013.

"This is not a small figure. These people are risking their lives, which is unacceptable," Zeynalov added.

It is necessary to increase people's knowledge regarding the observance of traffic regulations, he said, nothing that the Department will expand its activities in this regard.

"Teaching aids and manuals were developed in this regard. Increasing these activates by modern methods is on our agenda," he added.