Slow down!

In the Republic of Belarus, there is an automated system for recording administrative offences, which collects data on traffic violations committed by drivers and detected by automated systems. This centre also processes decisions on administrative offence cases, which are then sent to vehicle owners along with fine notices. Automatic traffic violation detection systems are actively developing today. In accordance with the Traffic Regulations, signs indicating "Photo and Video Recording" are now placed at the locations of stationary complexes. As the experience of other countries has shown, informing drivers about automatic offence detection has a tangible preventive effect and contributes to a reduction in accident rates in these road sections.

At the same time, it should be noted that the installation of such a sign, which is an additional information sign, aims to inform road users about the possible detection of an administrative offence solely by stationary technical means operating in automatic mode.

The State Automobile Inspectorate notes that, despite the expanding scope of these complexes, their operation is primarily aimed at preventing traffic violations. First and foremost, the installation of automatic complexes should influence driver discipline, prevent potential offences, and thus prevent accidents that they might cause.

Liability for exceeding the speed limit, as recorded by stationary technical means operating in automatic mode, is provided for by parts 5-8 of Article 18.13 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus (Part 5. Exceeding the established speed limit by ten to twenty kilometres per hour shall incur a fine of five-tenths of a basic unit; Part 6. Exceeding the speed limit by twenty to thirty kilometres per hour shall incur a fine of two basic units; Part 7. Exceeding the speed limit by thirty to forty kilometres per hour shall incur a fine of four basic units; Part 8. Exceeding the speed limit by forty or more kilometres per hour shall incur a fine of six basic units).

A completely different responsibility arises when a vehicle is stopped for exceeding the speed limit by a traffic police officer. The current Traffic Regulations do not provide for a road sign warning the driver about a patrol unit located on their route that has measured their speed. The absence of such an informational sign does not mean that drivers can ignore the duties prescribed by the Traffic Regulations. In this case, responsibility is provided for by parts 1-4 of Article 18.13 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus (part 1. Exceeding the established speed by ten to twenty kilometres per hour - entails a warning or a fine of up to one basic unit; part 2. Exceeding the established speed by twenty to thirty kilometres per hour - entails a fine of one to three basic units; part 3. Exceeding the established speed by thirty or more kilometres per hour - entails a fine of three to ten basic units; part 4. Actions provided for by parts 2 and 3 of this Article, committed repeatedly within one year after the imposition of an administrative penalty for the same violations - entails a fine of five to fifteen basic units or deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of up to one year).

For the first half of 2019, employees of the traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs detected 942 instances of speeding. Due to the greater public danger, special attention is currently paid to exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h. The traffic police department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs has in good working order and calibrated speed measuring devices such as "Vizir" and "Binаr", which are constantly used by state traffic inspectors.