Only 35% of registered vehicles in the Vitebsk region have passed technical inspection

The number of vehicles continues to grow. Last year alone, it increased by 7,000 in the region, reaching almost 490,000. This means that almost every second resident of the Vitebsk region owns a car. However, here's the question: are all cars technically fit for safe operation?

At a meeting of the commission for ensuring road traffic safety under the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, chaired by Deputy Chairman Vladimir Belous, the issue of controlling the state technical inspection of vehicles in the Vitebsk region was considered. The problem is more relevant than ever.

Last year, the state technical inspection system checked and admitted 35% of registered vehicles to participate in road traffic.

Thus, up to 65% of vehicles on the roads may pose a potential danger to people. Many remember the terrible incident when a schoolgirl died under the wheels of an unserviceable truck in the center of Minsk.

The second point is that the budget is not receiving sufficient funds from state duty fees for issuing permits for participation in road traffic. Meanwhile, we all want to drive on good roads, receive quality medical care, have well-maintained courtyards with beautiful playgrounds, and much more that is financed from the budget.

Is it possible to encourage car owners to undergo technical inspection by relying solely on their conscientiousness and conscience? After all, both conscientious car owners and those who do not pay taxes use the same roads and streets. But, as they say, happiness at someone else's expense is short-lived... At any moment, those who have not passed the technical inspection can be stopped by traffic police officers, checked, and brought to administrative responsibility.

The network of diagnostic stations is currently well-developed: there are 35 in the region, including three mobile ones. Some operate without days off, and some are open 12 hours a day. There are no queues; the management of "Beltekhosmotr" strives to do everything possible to make it as comfortable as possible for vehicle owners, services accessible, and operations transparent.

- We must also pay attention to the role of work collectives in controlling transport safety, - believes **Vilgelm Kishkovsky, Head of UP "Beltekhosmotr" for the Vitebsk Region**. - For example, we have ethics rules in place, and various methods are being implemented to foster legal behavior among employees.

At the commission meeting, it was decided to intensify efforts to control the timely completion of state technical inspections for vehicles, with particular attention paid to agricultural enterprises.

Heads of enterprises and organizations should ensure compliance with traffic safety legislation and not allow vehicles that have not passed technical inspection onto the road. In any case, it is safer and more secure with a technical inspection.

Svetlana Dedinkina, Chief Specialist of the Main Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee.