UMS Supports Road Traffic Act Amendment, Hopes It Passes in Parliament

Bratislava, 19 February (TASR) - House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) and representatives of the Slovak Towns Union (UMS) have discussed issues of pedestrian safety, speed measurement and the procedure for debating an amendment to the Road Traffic Act in Parliament, which UMS fully supports, TASR reported on Thursday. Although the debate on the amendment was postponed to the next parliamentary session in April due to insufficient support among coalition MPs, UMS remains confident that it will be passed in the end. However, objections to the Road Traffic Act amendment, primarily in connection with setting up speed cameras in towns and municipalities, have been voiced by several MPs close to Tourism and Sport Minister Rudolf Huliak (Independent). "The two main issues that we addressed, among others, were pedestrian safety and speed measurement. What we have agreed, and what we'll continue to communicate ahead of the next parliamentary debate on this law, is that the proposed measures are about road traffic safety," said Bratislava vice-mayor for transport Tatiana Kratochvilova, adding that the measures are needed to reduce the high accident rate, as well the number of fatal road accidents. Nitra Mayor Marek Hattas said that UMS supports the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which also addresses owner liability. "This means that speed measurement would also fall under the remit of municipal police. What we agreed on with the House chair is that safety is a priority for us," he stated, confirming the high number of fatal accidents. According to him, there were 258 such cases in a year, while another 800 people were injured. "This figure is very high in comparison with the European Union, as well as relative to population size," said Hattas, adding that the situation needs to be addressed, as Slovakia is one of the last EU countries where municipal police don't have such powers. jrg/df