Irates: 'No Pay, No Get'. Starting Driver Vetting Should Begin with Punishing License Sellers

The newspaper 'Irates' writes: The statement by Health Minister Arsen Torosyan that 'probably all driver licenses should be revoked and everyone should take a much stricter test again' has become a subject of discussion. The minister made this post, referring to the tragic car accident that took place in the city of Gori, Georgia, in which three people lost their lives. It was revealed that people were even sitting in the cargo area of the vehicle, and the main cause of the accident was the driver sleeping behind the wheel. Of course, the fact that he fell asleep at the wheel has nothing to do with knowing the traffic rules, but it is an undeniable violation that passengers being carried in the cargo area. Torosyan's suggestion is partially acceptable to me. It is not only the drivers who should be called for 'testing,' but also find, identify, and hold accountable those organizations that have issued driver licenses for money over the decades, often within just a few hours. If I survey my acquaintances about how many of those who obtain driver licenses did so without paying, the picture would be sad. A friend of mine, who decided to obtain the license without payment for the sake of principle, faced a problem during the so-called 'exam': they were straightforwardly told, 'until you pay, you won't get it.' The sad part is that people who truly know both road signs and laws, who drive well, are forced to 'bribe' to obtain their legal right. Perhaps this matter does not concern the Health Minister at all, but it is a fact that exists, which I bring up at every opportunity. To what extent Torosyan's opinion is realistic is a matter for discussion and analysis. First, we need to understand what percentage of accidents result from ignorance of traffic rules, and then determine what vetting drivers will offer and when, if at all, there will be people who will justly lose their right to drive. To avoid traffic accidents as much as possible, I believe that control should be strengthened first and foremost. I did not at all welcome the fact that last year, upon the suggestion of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, many traffic violators had their violations and fines forgiven. After that, many of them might have thought, 'If running a red light was forgiven, then driving under the influence will also be forgiven.' It was also unacceptable to dismantle speed camera systems on critical highways. If those were in place, drivers, realizing that a camera would record the violation and they would be fined, tended to drive at the prescribed speed. We need to increase the traffic signs, ensuring their proper visibility and accessibility. There are signs that branches of trees have blocked, or have been erased, or the allowed speed of '50' has become '60' at the hands of 'sensible' drivers, etc. As for the quality of the roads and the chasing potholes, it has been discussed so much that there is no hope that one day it will be possible to drive without bumps.

For more details, see today's edition of the newspaper.