Russian police adopt the experience of their Belarusian colleagues in preventing road accidents at night

September 4, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Russian police are adopting the experience of their Belarusian colleagues in preventing road accidents involving minors in the dark. This was announced today at a press conference by the head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Smolensk Region, Yuri Sterlikov, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Law enforcement agencies of the Smolensk Region adopted the "Mark Yourself in the Dark" campaign last year after learning about its organization and implementation in the Vitebsk region. "These child safety events are now actively held in the Smolensk Region as well," the head emphasized. As noted by the head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Naidenko, the use of reflective elements in the dark consistently proves its effectiveness. For example, last year alone, thanks to this measure, the number of fatalities on the roads of the Vitebsk region decreased by 25 people compared to 2007. The presence of reflective elements has become a mandatory norm for all schoolchildren in the region. "And currently, fines for adults for not having reflective elements in the dark are being increased," added Alexander Naidenko. Russian police also emphasized the significance of Decree No. 18 "On Additional Measures for State Protection of Children in Disadvantaged Families," adopted in November 2006. The document, which has become a handbook for most officials of various departments in Belarus, is now being studied with equal interest in Russia. "In our country, the problem of child neglect and crime prevention is acute. Therefore, a decision has been made to study the positive experience of working with this decree by Russian specialized ministries," emphasized the head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Smolensk Region. Belarusian law enforcement representatives, in turn, expressed interest in the experience of their Russian colleagues in creating public councils operating under the Internal Affairs Bodies, which include representatives of various public organizations, political parties, national diasporas, media, and the public. The work of these structures, among other positive aspects, contributes to strengthening the prestige of the police profession. -0-