This year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the State Automobile Inspectorate. The history of the formation and development of the SAI is inextricably linked with the development of means of transport, road construction, public utilities, and traffic organization. At the same time, it is closely intertwined with the history of the police and those state structures whose work was aimed at establishing road safety and preventing fatalities in road traffic accidents.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the State Automobile Inspectorate. The history of the formation and development of the SAI is inextricably linked with the development of means of transport, road construction, public utilities, and traffic organization. At the same time, it is closely intertwined with the history of the police and those state structures whose work was aimed at establishing road safety and preventing fatalities in road traffic accidents.
As early as the 1920s, special units (auto inspectorates) were created within the structures of local Soviets of Workers', Peasants', and Red Guards' Deputies to supervise traffic order on streets and roads. On June 10, 1920, the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars (CPC) "On Road Traffic in the City of Moscow and its Environs (Regulations)" was adopted, the content of which formed the basis for traffic rules in many Soviet republics.
The Rules comprised 39 clauses and were divided into nine sections. This first regulatory document, specifically dedicated to road traffic safety, took into account many aspects of the traffic police's activities. It included requirements for vehicles and their registration. It addressed registration plates and the right to use certain types of vehicles. The Rules stipulated requirements for drivers: possession of their driving documents and route sheets, and set speed limits. The scope of individuals responsible for violating the Rules was defined. The traffic police were tasked with overseeing compliance with the Rules: "...traffic inspectors were permitted, if necessary, to stop vehicles by raising a flag during the day or a lantern at night. To avoid delaying traffic, a traffic inspector, with the passenger's consent, could check documents while accompanying the vehicle." The traffic police were not a militarised formation and had limited powers. However, the police and representatives of the Soviet authorities were "obliged to provide traffic inspectors with all possible assistance in performing their official duties, up to and including the use of weapons in extreme cases."
Continuing the glorious traditions of past years, modern traffic police officers are worthily performing their official duties to ensure road traffic safety. The staff of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs consists of thirteen attested employees and four civilian employees of the MREO (Motor Vehicle Registration and Examination Department) of the traffic police. Many of them have significant experience in the police force and know their job well. The traffic police department staff monitor compliance with the requirements of regulatory legal acts governing road traffic, maintain records of road traffic accidents, and conduct proceedings for administrative offences. The traffic police department staff also take immediate action at the scene of a road traffic accident, including providing first aid to victims, ensuring the registration and record-keeping of vehicles, and conducting driving tests and issuing driving licenses.
In cooperation with other internal affairs units, traffic police officers participate in maintaining public order, searching for stolen vehicles, and locating drivers who have left the scene of an accident. State Automobile Inspectorate officers also monitor compliance with legislation establishing requirements for the design, construction, reconstruction, and repair of roads, roadside service facilities, as well as for the installation and operation of technical means of traffic management.
An important aspect of the State Automobile Inspectorate's activities is the prevention and reduction of road traffic injuries, the promotion of safe road behaviour among the public, and the prevention of child road traffic injuries.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the State Automobile Inspectorate, a celebratory concert was held in the assembly hall of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs. Today's State Automobile Inspectorate officers, their colleagues, and veterans of the service were invited. "Your daily dedicated service and unwavering adherence to the Road Traffic Regulations are a guarantee of order on the road, ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens. May you be accompanied by excellent mood, vigour, and optimism in your challenging work," sincerely wished the Head of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Police Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Duranov, to the traffic police officers. From the hands of Alexander Stepanovich, Certificates of Appreciation from the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee for conscientious performance of official duties, high performance in service activities, and completion of important and urgent work were awarded to the Senior Inspector of the Road Patrol Service of the Traffic Police Department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Police Major Igor Zenovich, and the Traffic Patrol Inspector of the Traffic Police Department, Police Captain Valery Lyankovsky.
Warm wishes to the road patrol service officers were also expressed by the Chairman of the District Council of Deputies. District Executive Committee Honorary Certificates for achieving high performance in operational service activities, proper performance of official duties, and in connection with the 80th anniversary of the Traffic Police Department were presented by Nikolai Misyura to the Senior Inspector of the Traffic Patrol Service of the Traffic Police Department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Police Major Valery Leshchenko, and Traffic Patrol Inspectors, Police Captains Alexander Borodyonok and Nikolai Kuranny.
Honorary diplomas of the District Council of Deputies for achieving high performance in operational service activities, proper execution of tasks facing law enforcement officers, and in connection with the 80th anniversary of the State Automobile Inspectorate were presented by Mikola Miusiura to traffic police inspectors of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, police captains Siarhiej Ciaranćeu and Aliaxey Ciialiatka.
The head of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Aliaksandr Trusau, expressed many warm words to current and former employees of the State Automobile Inspectorate. To the sincere applause of the audience, Aliaksandr Mikałajevič presented veteran certificates of the road patrol service to the former head of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Mikola Bialkoŭski, as well as former traffic police inspectors Jury Sciananau and Siarhiej Dolbikau.
Deputy military commissar - head of the mobilization group of the district military commissariat, Aliaksei Jaŭstafjeŭ, also congratulated the respected colleagues on the holiday. Aliaksei Valerjevich presented the jubilee medals "70 Years of the Great Victory" to the head of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Aliaksandr Daranau, the head of the traffic police department, Aliaksandr Trusau, as well as senior state inspectors of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, Valerij Leščanka and Ihar Zianovič.
The speech by Mikola Bialkoŭski, former head of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, was also very interesting for all guests. He shared his memories of the difficult daily routines of road patrol service officers and expressed his best wishes to his former colleagues.
Local artists created an excellent festive mood for the traffic police officers. Young singer Vieranika Trubieka and the guitar ensemble of the District Center for Children and Youth, led by Aliaksandr Astroŭski, delighted the audience with their songs. Well-known local performers Taćciana Hrydziuška, Taćciana Niwiadomskaja, and Natallia Maciuš also impressed with their performances.
The festive concert concluded, and the road patrol service officers, who were due to go on duty, proceeded to perform their duties. Many responsible tasks lie ahead of them…
Sviatlana Silvanovich
