Drivers fined and pedestrians warned within operation “Pedestrian”

The traffic police Monday carried out an operation to sensitize the drivers who do not give way to pedestrians at crosswalks and the jaywalking pedestrians, Info-Prim Neo reports. Aurelia Mija, spokeswoman for the Traffic Police Division, said pedestrians are involved in every second road accident in Chisinau. “This operation is aimed at raising awareness of the drivers and persons who jaywalk. The drivers who do not give way to pedestrians at crosswalks face a fine of 200 lei and two penalty points, while the jaywalking pedestrians face a fine of 100 to 200 lei,” she said. Most of the stopped drivers said they did not see the pedestrian and they are sorry for not stopping. They were fined 200 lei and got two penalty points in the driver’s license. The pedestrians caught crossing the street illegally were warned. The persons said they do not respect the rules because there are no traffic lights or crosswalks nearby, while in underground passages it is dirty and there is not light. Others admitted that they were in a hurry and thus jaywalked. “The persons who cross the street illegally present the identity card at the request of the police officer, who draws up a report. If the culprits do not have identification papers, they are taken to the police station,” said Aurelia Mija. Over 300 road accidents involving pedestrians have taken place in Chisinau so far this year. The operation “Pedestrian” will last from August 22 until August 31.