Don’t Fall for Misinformation Videos on Social Media, Follow Traffic Rules: Ministry of Internal Affairs

Recently, a video labeled as an "educational video" circulated on one of the social media platforms, in which a vehicle driver questions the legality of the process by which a patrol officer measures the transparency of vehicle windows. The driver also claims that the government decision No. 955-N from June 28, 2007, regarding the road traffic rules and the list of malfunctions and conditions prohibiting the operation of vehicles has been revoked, and that the technical regulations on vehicle safety established by the Eurasian Economic Union Commission on December 9, 2011, No. 877 have not been officially published, making the decision to impose administrative penalties unlawful. At the same time, the video calls on other drivers to act similarly. As a result, a significant portion of law-abiding citizens among the drivers in Armenia may develop distrust towards the actions and decisions of patrol officers.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia informs that the government decision No. 955-N from June 28, 2007, regarding the road traffic rules and the list of malfunctions and conditions prohibiting the operation of vehicles has not been revoked and is still in effect. Additionally, the technical regulations on vehicle safety established by the Eurasian Economic Union Commission’s decision No. 877 are published on the official legal information website of Armenia, arlis.am, meaning they are duly published.

According to Article 24, Part 1 of the Armenian Law on Normative Legal Acts, the normative legal acts of the EAEU Eurasian Economic Commission are subject to direct application in the territory of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the international treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union.

It is also noted that under the Armenian Law on Police, patrol officers are authorized to inspect vehicles in the presence of drivers or citizens in cases of threats to road traffic safety or violations of road traffic rules, which includes checking by measuring the transparency of side windows.

If a driver obstructs the inspection, the patrol officer has the right to demand the cessation of obstructing actions, and in case of non-compliance or resistance, to apply enforcement measures against the violators.

Dear drivers, please do not succumb to misinformation videos circulated on social networks and adhere to traffic rules, which is essential for ensuring your own safety.