Our Roads Can No Longer Accommodate So Many Vehicles: Osipyan

Every day, 300 vehicles are imported into Armenia, as reported by MP Melikumyan at the border checkpoint. This statistic was cited by Police Chief Valeri Osipyan to explain the recent increase in traffic accidents.

"We have a cup on the table that holds 200 grams. If we fill it with more than 200 grams... that’s simple logic. Our roads can no longer accommodate so many vehicles," Osipyan said.

When asked by reporters whether the high number of accidents is a result of the poor performance of the Traffic Police, Osipyan responded, "Fine, we are performing poorly—does that mean the police in Georgia are performing poorly as well? Every day, we receive summaries with video and numerical data from different cities in Russia. After the Prime Minister's directive, we have tightened our measures; I have issued the appropriate orders, and Traffic Police employees have eliminated tolerance. Additionally, a working group has been formed at the Prime Minister's direction. This group will soon get to work, identifying all the issues."

He also noted that the causes of traffic and accidents are not solely dependent on the Traffic Police. There are numerous problems and agencies that are directly related to all of this.

"The reasons for accidents include poor lighting, bad road conditions, the absence or invisibility of road signs, weather conditions, and the unsuitability of vehicles. In our country, technical inspections do not just take a formal form; they do not exist at all," Osipyan pointed out.

Regarding the increase in traffic violations this year, Osipyan mentioned that they have also identified more such violations. As for the victims of traffic accidents, he stated that the main causes are the poor condition of vehicles and the roads.

"Every day I am briefed, and we receive summaries indicating that vehicles have flipped over or rolled over while traveling straight or have fallen into ravines. At high speed, worn-out parts do not withstand the pressure. Vehicles flip over or roll into the ravine without any reason. We have cars from the 60s, 70s, and 80s on our roads that do not undergo technical inspections. I leave the commentary to you," Osipyan said.

He added that the implementation of a points-based system for punishing traffic rule violations will significantly reduce the number of accidents.