"Black Ice" Day Unavoidable in Belarus
29/10/20120 views
29 October, Minsk /BELTA/. The adverse weather that hit Belarus last weekend significantly complicated the road situation and led to numerous road traffic accidents. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by Anna Banadyk, Senior Inspector for Special Assignments of the Department of Road Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus.
Despite the traffic police warnings, the traditional "Tin Man's Day" could not be avoided, Anna Banadyk noted. On Friday and over the weekend, 1315 road traffic accidents with material damage occurred in Belarus, resulting in 19 fatalities and 89 injuries. The main causes of the accidents were predictable: loss of control, summer tires, and poor visibility on the road.
On October 28, a truck with Polish license plates overturned on the Vitebsk-Liozno highway near the village of Dryukovo in the Vitebsk district. The driver managed to exit the cabin on his own, but the tractor and semi-trailer had to be lifted by emergency rescue workers. In the evening of the same day, on Independence Avenue in Minsk, a 23-year-old woman died as a result of being hit twice. She was crossing the roadway at an unregulated pedestrian crossing. "These are isolated incidents from a long string of road traffic accidents that occurred last weekend," Anna Banadyk noted.
The State Automobile Inspectorate introduced the special operation "Weather" in all regions on the evening of October 26, which is still in effect. It provides for enhanced traffic police control of roads. For example, on October 27, all personnel of the special unit "Strela" were on duty. Inspectors assist drivers who have gotten into trouble due to bad weather, provide help to stranded vehicles, and report traffic accidents. In addition, constant monitoring of the roadway is carried out. The traffic police communicate with road service dispatchers and provide them with information on the need to grit specific road sections. If road workers do not take any measures, an administrative report is drawn up against them. "On Saturday alone, 10 such reports were filed," added Anna Banadyk.
In such difficult weather conditions, there were drivers who risked driving while intoxicated. Over 3 days, inspectors detained more than 400 drivers under the influence. Also, almost 3,000 people were caught speeding. In total, over the Friday and the weekend in Belarus, more than 16,500 traffic violations were detected, including over 3,100 violations by pedestrians, such as the absence of mandatory retro-reflective elements in the dark."Unpleasant surprises for motorists are still possible in the coming days," warned Anna Banadyk. The State Automobile Inspectorate once again warns drivers who have not yet managed to "re-shoe" their vehicles that it is time to do so. Winter tires help reduce braking distance and significantly improve vehicle handling in icy and snowy conditions. In addition, the vehicle must be properly prepared for winter. It is necessary to check the overall condition of the heating system – the ability to clearly see the roadway and traffic conditions depends on its proper functioning, otherwise the windows will fog up or freeze over. It is mandatory to check the serviceability of external lighting devices – headlights and parking lights. If necessary, the headlights should be adjusted. It will not be superfluous to replace the windshield wipers, and the windshield washer must be filled with special antifreeze fluid.
The State Automobile Inspectorate strongly recommends that drivers who have not prepared their vehicles for winter refrain from traveling in bad weather. "Any minor issue on a winter road can cause an accident," warns the State Automobile Inspectorate. If a driver needs assistance from the State Automobile Inspectorate on the road, they can always call 102 – the nearest traffic police patrol will immediately proceed to the location.-0-
BELTA