New rules for motorists

“The accident-related situation is alarming and needs additional immediate measures to improve it,” says Valentin Zubic, deputy Interior Minister. The official presented an info note on the topic on Wednesday at the Cabinet's sitting, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to him, the number of traffic accidents dropped by 5.7% in the first half of 2008, compared with the similar period of 2007. Nevertheless, it remains huge – 1,068 crashes, 161 dead and 1,290 injured. Especially alarming is considered the fact that children were involved in 14.8% of the total number of crashes. 28 minors lost their lives, as other 354 got wounded. Valentin Zubic says the Interior Ministry alone will not be able to change the situation and required other authorities to involve. The pupils from the 1-9 grades will compulsorily study a new subject “The Road Traffic Safety” as from September the 1st, as the Education Ministry is to provide the textbooks. With money from the Chinese Government, the Cabinet will install traffic supervising cameras in Chisinau's streets, as more attention will be paid to the auto testing stations. Better equipment will be employed to test the alcohol vapors expired by drivers. The State Transports Administration has been charged to develop a national standard equal to the Euro – 2 standard and to set up a station to equip cars for disabled. Even more attention will be paid to the drivers training schools. Valentin Zubic says the Parliament is expected to pass a law envisaging to hike three-fold the fines for drink-driving.