The Senate's next plenary session discussed the Law “On Introducing Amendments and Additions Aimed at Ensuring Road Traffic Safety and Increasing the Efficiency of Public Transport Use in the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.
In our country, the issue of congestion is becoming the most pressing problem for the population, especially in our capital. If in the last 2-3 years, 7-9 point congestion levels have been observed daily in the city of Tashkent, at times this situation rises to 10 points. This leads to nervous and conflicting situations on the roads, causing passengers and drivers to waste hours.
Therefore, practical measures are being taken to give priority to public transport in order to reduce congestion on the roads and to create conveniences for the population.
However, gaps in legislation are significantly reducing the effectiveness of using public transport, affecting the regularity of services and the free movement of public transport.
Despite the allocation of separate lanes for public transportation on city roads and the prohibition of movement of other vehicles in these lanes, the movement of vehicles in these lanes continues.
Current legislation does not envision responsibility for drivers of vehicles moving in lanes designated for public transport.
Furthermore, drivers controlling their vehicles on bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and green area spaces is often observed, negatively impacting the safety of traffic participants in these areas.
Another factor negatively affecting road traffic safety is the illegal installation of artificial barriers, blocking the road.
Citizens illegally installing artificial barriers in the streets of their residential areas, thus restricting movement and hindering the movement of emergency services and special vehicles.
In order to solve these problems, the proposed Law introduces a new Article 1287 in the Code of Administrative Responsibility, setting responsibilities for violating the rules of movement in lanes designated for public transportation.
In particular, movement of vehicles on roads with a separate lane for route transport vehicles – results in a fine in the amount of one base calculation amount, and if such a violation is repeated within a year after administrative punishment, it results in a fine of three times the base calculation amount.
Additionally, the Law redefines the title and the first part of the disposition of Article 128 in a new edition of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.
Now, driving transport vehicles on sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle lanes, green areas, and non-compliance with road signs and other traffic rules will be subject to responsibility.
As the senators highlighted, the adoption of the Law serves to ensure road traffic safety, prevent road accidents, and create additional conveniences for the movement of public transport on the roads.
Following the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators.
