On the eve of

This popular saying aptly describes the driving style of some motorists. Incidentally, over the first half of the year, the Traffic Police Department of the District Internal Affairs Department detected 3,349 traffic violations – 140 more than in the same period last year. One of the most alarming statistics is speeding; 567 enthusiasts of reckless driving were stopped. 105 drunk drivers were detected, and 140 individuals drove without a licence. It must be acknowledged that pedestrians also frequently fail to set an example of correct behaviour on streets and roads; they violated the rules 287 times.
 During the same period, the number of registered road traffic accidents doubled – from five to ten. Five people died in these accidents (three more than last year), and 10 were injured (two more).
 The following accident cases are striking. On the holiday, July 3rd, at 18:50, two fellow villagers failed to pass each other on one of the streets in the village of Bobrovo. Yu. was driving a Volkswagen Passat from one direction, and V. was moving towards him on an IZH motorcycle. A head-on collision occurred on V. Margevich Street with such force that the entire front of the car was smashed, and the motorcycle caught fire from the impact. The motorcyclist was thrown from the saddle and hit the windscreen of the Volkswagen. As a result, V. was taken to the district hospital with very severe bodily injuries. During the investigation, it was found that the motorcycle driver did not have a licence to operate vehicles. Further investigation will determine who was at fault for the accident.
 In general, holidays often turn into a headache for traffic inspectors. For example, an accident occurred on Kupala night on the road from Chareyshchyna to the Minsk-Vitebsk highway. According to eyewitnesses, the events unfolded as follows. The family celebrated the holiday during the day and went to bed in the evening; the Ford Fiesta car was parked in its usual place. In the evening, the daughter D., born in 1993, decided to go to the club for dancing. She started the car. Young people who were at the club at that time said that she was driving the car "barely within the road's boundaries." At the dance, the girl drank more beer and decided to "go for a drive." Seeing this, a sober P., a resident of Kurmelyovka, born in 1995, a lyceum student, offered his services as a driver. Neither he nor anyone present was alarmed by the fact that the young man did not have a licence to operate vehicles. On one section of the road, he lost control, the car skidded and overturned. After rolling completely over the roof, the Ford landed back on its wheels. Three people were in the car; only D. sustained injuries.

I believe the examples provided should lead to serious reflection for everyone who would like to ride with the wind.
Aleksandr TRUSOV,
Head of the Administrative Road Police Department of the District Department of Internal Affairs,
Police Major.