Smart cameras help spot 6,654 cases of uninspected vehicles
Before installing the smart cameras (in between 1-14 January), patrol police crews issued 2,404 fines. Photo: Police.ge.
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A total of 6,654 fines have been issued between 14-17 January in Georgia, following the installation of so-called ‘smart cameras’ which automatically fine drivers that have failed to undergo mandatory vehicle inspection.
Head of the Analytics and Reforms Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Beka Liluashvili told local media outlet Palitranews that the number of fines issued for not undergoing mandatory vehicle inspections has significantly increased since smart cameras have been brought into play.
Before installing the smart cameras (in between 1-14 January), patrol police crews issued 2,404 fines, said Liluashvili.
Since the installation of smart cameras, the volume of applications to vehicle inspection centres has increased five-fold, says Head of the Association of Automobile Inspection Vaja Iordanishvili.
To compare, in December 2018 about 700-800 vehicles were inspected per day, while currently the number of vehicles undergoing inspection on a daily basis has reached 3,000-4,000.
Iordanishvili said that almost half of all vehicles inspected failed to pass tests of road worthiness, and must undergo repairs before requesting a second inspection.
A total of 21,276 vehicles have been inspected in Georgia as of 14 January 2019. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
As of 1 January 2019, all private vehicles in the country must undergo technical inspections.
Mandatory vehicle inspections started in Georgia last year on 1 January 2018, and powerful engine vehicles (+ 3.5 tonnes) and passenger vehicles with more than eight seats were inspected during the first stage.
Vehicles are inspected following seven major criteria: brakes, steering mechanism, suspension, visibility, car lights, emissions and tyres.
If a vehicle fails the inspection, the driver will be given a month to fix the problem to make it meet the standards to be allowed to drive on the roads. If the problem will not be fixed, drivers will be fined. The amount of the fines is 50 GEL (about $18.87/€16.57) for private entity and 200 GEL (about $75.47/€66.30) for legal entities.
Mandatory vehicle inspections cost about 100 GEL (about $37.74/€33.15) for powerful engine vehicles and 60 GEL for cars (about $22.64/€19.89).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that there are 1,441 cameras installed on the roads of Georgia to prevent road accidents and ensure safety.
A total of 21,276 vehicles have been inspected in Georgia as of 14 January 2019 and 11,666 of them (almost 55%) have been found roadworthy, announces Georgia’s Ministry of Economy.
Out of 19,464 vehicles in Georgia, 14,280 have already been inspected since January 1, 2018, of which 5,050 failed inspection and 134 have been banned from use on roads.
Seven workers of vehicle inspection centres have been charged by the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance with commercial bribery.
Civil liability insurance will become mandatory for owners of registered vehicles in Georgia.
Three hundred smart cameras will be installed over bus lines and bicycle tracks in Tbilisi to record violations and control the speed of vehicles.
Six Georgian towns — Kutaisi, Gori, Telavi, Zugdidi, Rustavi and Poti — will receive 100 new modern diesel (Euro 5) buses. The buses will be given to the towns as part of the Urban Transport Enhancement Programme of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The most common traffic violation in Georgia in April-June 2019 is improper parking, data published today by the Georgian Interior Ministry reads. The ministry reports that many drivers continue to drive and talk on the phone at the same time, which is also a threat to traffic safety.
Regulations on vehicle emissions will be tightened across Georgia starting next year, the country’s Economy Ministry revealed on Thursday, noting the upper limit of carbon monoxide in emissions would be reduced as part of the changes.
Repeat inspections for vehicles across Georgia will involve a fee of ₾30 ($11) for owners of buses and trucks and ₾20 ($7) for light passenger and cargo vehicles starting today, Giorgi Shiolashvili, the Chairman of the Union of Technical Inspection Centres, confirmed on Wednesday.