More Resources to be Channeled Into Traffic Control
The Police and Border Guard Board will impose more stringent measures in traffic enforcement this year.
Interior Ministry officials said a stricter stance will be taken in traffic safety and more serious penalties will be given for violations such as failing to wear a seat belt, reported Postimees.
The tougher measures come in light of increasing accidents. Last year, 19 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents. Only three were wearing the required safety reflector.
Studies have shown, however, that police patrols only have a 10 to 25 percent impact on traffic safety. Other factors include the technical state of vehicles, whether drivers observe the law, environmental and situational factors , and the individual knowledge and skills of drivers.
Police also plan to adopt an electronic system to speed up the filing of citations, which officials said would save 67,670 work hours per year. Another major policy change has been the involvement of volunteer police, who will this year begin to help in traffic enforcement as well, according to the Interior Ministry.
Ingrid Teesalu