Vehicles and trailers to be subjected to technical expertise

All the vehicles and trailers will be subjected to the compulsory overhaul as of 1 January 2007. This obligation will be applied according to the Program of reducing air pollution caused by the means of transport. According to Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR), Constantin Mihailescu, a large number of automobiles – about 200,000 registered in the capital and over 200,000 transiting the city - are operating in Chisinau alone, which makes the pollution to surpass the maximum admissible level each second day of the year. Automobiles in Chisinau produce 90-95 % of the total volume of polluting substances spread into the atmosphere. This index is on increase every year. MENR in concert with the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MIA) and of Transports and Road Administration were tasked by the Government to check whether the personnel of the technical inspection centers are abiding by the law, so as to ensure the ecological car safety according to national and international standards. During “The Fresh Air” operation, organized this year by the State Ecological Inspectorate and MIA there were detected means of transport which, though passed the technical tests in the specialized stations, produced an increased quantity of polluting emissions. The carried out raids have traced technical stations that violate the legislation in the field, “Taf-Service” in Balti and “Autotest” in Orhei being among them. Over nine months of the year, the State Ecological Inspectorate subjected 40,000 units of transport to the checkup and ecological test. In May-June, as part of the “Fresh Air” operation, there were examined 6405 units of transport, drawn up 289 proceedings, applied 524 fines and 171 prohibitions to use cars.