Pedestrians without reflective elements may be fined Br105,000.

February 23, Minsk / Vasily Malashenkov - BELTA /. The fine for pedestrians not using reflective elements in the dark has now increased to Br105 thousand. The law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Codes of the Republic of Belarus on Criminal and Administrative Liability" comes into force today, the Traffic Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus informed a BELTA correspondent. According to the document, for violating traffic rules, pedestrians will be fined from one to three base amounts (from Br35 thousand to Br105 thousand). Previously, the traffic police could fine pedestrians only 0.5 base amounts (Br17.5 thousand) or limit themselves to a warning. This includes a fine for the absence of reflective elements. As noted by the traffic police, a pedestrian must be visible with a reflective element when moving along the edge of the roadway in the dark, both in rural areas and in cities. If a pedestrian is simply crossing the road at a designated crossing, then a reflective element is not mandatory. However, the traffic police strongly recommend having them at all times. In this case, reflective elements should be attached so that they are visible from all sides. For pedestrians, it is safest to walk on the left side of the road, i.e., against the direction of traffic, the State Automobile Inspectorate reminded. For traffic violations while intoxicated, traffic police inspectors will now also be able to impose stricter penalties on pedestrians (from three to five base amounts). A fine will also be issued for refusing to undergo examination. According to the traffic police, on average, about a thousand pedestrians are brought to administrative responsibility daily. Approximately half of them are fined specifically for the absence of reflective elements in the dark. Often, the causes of road accidents involving pedestrians are crossing the roadway in an unauthorized place and drunkenness. One should not forget about the dangers of children playing on the road. Moreover, as stated in clause 7.3 of the Traffic Regulations, when accompanying children, all possible measures must be taken to prevent them from independently entering the roadway. The traffic police also remind that pedestrians endanger themselves when they unexpectedly enter the road from behind a vehicle, structure, tree, or other natural cover, even if it happens at a pedestrian crossing. -0-