NUMBER OF ROAD ACCIDENTS GROWS BY 20% IN ARMENIA IN 2006

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2006, 1,574 road accidents were
registered in Armenia, as a result of which 332 people died and 2,089
received injuries. The number of road accidents grew by 262 or 20% on
the previous year, the number of those killed and injured in such
accidents – by 22 and 316 respectively. Deputy Chief of the RA Police
Hovahnnes Hunanian said this at the February 7 press conference.

According to him, the increase in the number of road accidents is
mostly conditioned by a considerable growth in the number of transport
means. In the past four years, this number increased by about 80
thousand cars, including 24 thousand cars in 2006. H. Hunanian noted
that serious reforms are being implemented with the aim of organizing
road patrol services in accordance with new principles.

The purpose of these reforms is to bring the activities of traffic
police into line with European standards and increase the efficiency
of its work on prevention and disclosure of crimes and offences.

H. Hunanian said that mobile patrols have replaced stationary patrol
points in Yerevan streets. "The appearance of a traffic policeman will
change too. He must be tall, polite and know foreign languages," the
deputy chief of the RA police said.