Amendments to the Road Code and the two-threefold increase in fines for using a cellphone while driving have contributed to raising drivers’ safety awareness in Albania. These were the findings of the Chief of Tirana’s Road Patrol Unit, Erjon Ahemti, who told Euronews Albania that despite the fact that every day there are dozens of fines issued to careless drivers, the aim of the Police Department is to identify the violations in order to prevent possible life-threatening events, instead of just giving out a fine.
Since the beginning of 2021, the Road Patrol Department has given out 17.834 fines for the use of a cellphone while driving. This violation has been a primary cause in a considerable number of car crashes and incidents on the road, often leading to injuries and even deaths. With the changes applied recently to the Road Code only a few weeks ago, the use of a cellphone while driving is now punishable by 5 000 – 15 000 ALL.
“With the recent changes to the Road Code, we’ve seen a clear raise of awareness and precaution regarding the use of cellphones and driving over the speed limit, which in turn have a direct effect in preventing roadside incidents.
We want to spread a message. When drivers are found using their cell phones, our message to them is clear – when police officers find an irregularity, their duty is to issue the penalty, not for the simple fact of writing someone up but to spread a message,” said Ahmeti.
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