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Uzbekistan installs traffic cameras, makes other road safety moves
Authorities have adopted new laws and introduced new technology as part of a new system that is expected to be in place by the end of 2015.
By Maksim Yeniseyev
2012-12-05
TASHKENT – Uzbek authorities are installing traffic cameras and introducing other innovations as part of an effort to improve road safety.
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![Pedestrians cross the street in Tashkent December 3. Uzbekistan is introducing new traffic safety initiatives. [Maksim Yeniseyev]](/shared/images/2012/12/05/uzsafe.jpg)
Pedestrians cross the street in Tashkent December 3. Uzbekistan is introducing new traffic safety initiatives. [Maksim Yeniseyev]
"Traffic cameras will be installed at all intersections and busy city streets across the country," Lt. Col. Anvar Sulaimankhodzhayev, division head of the Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate of Road Safety, said. "The tradition of the traffic police will become a thing of the past. Instead, drivers will be automatically issued fines by cameras that will capture any road violations. Traffic police cars will complement the work done by the cameras, with one car for every few streets."
Road safety in Uzbekistan has become increasingly important as drivers in the first half of 2012 committed more than 1.5m various traffic violations, 15% more than last year.
The cameras will first appear at 120 intersections in Tashkent by January 1 as part of the US $30m (59.2 billion UZS) programme, he said. They will capture violations and tickets will be mailed to the drivers. Late payers will face interest charges.
"The introduction of these cameras will help fight the corruption that arises when traffic police deal with motorists," Sulaimankhodzhayev told Central Asia Online. "This system will dramatically improve the image of the traffic police, and we will force the drivers to be careful."
The goal is to have a completely new system that is designed to curb traffic violations and promote safety in place by the end of 2015, officials said.
Many drivers have responded favourably to the initiatives.
"If cameras are installed, then the system will be fair, and drivers will cease to break the law to the degree that they do now," Tashkent taxi driver Orif Toshvakov told Central Asia Online. "After all, it is not possible to ‘negotiate’ with a camera."
Green lights on command
The programme also will include push-button traffic lights, some of which already have been installed.
"Pedestrians who need to cross the street press a special button, and the light turns green, allowing them to cross," said Sulaimankhodzhayev. "This rationalises the traffic flow, as previously the lights would turn red regardless of whether there were any pedestrians, creating traffic jams and wasting motorists’ time."
As with anything new, the system will require some adjustment.
"Many Tashkent residents still do not know how these crossings work," Tashkent resident Igor Sotin told Central Asia Online. "Very often you can see a group of people standing by a traffic light at a crossing, waiting for it to turn green, unaware that they need to press the button."
Educational software
Another major road safety development includes the creation of the educational software Auto-Test, written by Uzbeks and approved by the Main Directorate of Road Safety.
"With the help of the Auto-Test programme, future drivers will be able to prepare for their licensing exam and check their knowledge of the rules of the road," one of the programme developers, Dinara Savostina, explained. "It is the first time such materials have been created in Uzbekistan. The software contains three-dimensional animation, which enables drivers to view the consequences of their answer to each question, be it correct or incorrect."
The Main Directorate of Road Safety is also holding a "Look out, children!" campaign that aims to ensure child safety along the roads.
"They conduct special lessons for children on the rules of the road and also monitor the quality of the road safety lessons provided by the schoolteachers," Sulaimankhodzhayev said.
"Educational institutions are creating special 'rules of the road' displays,” he said. “Also, roads adjacent to schools and kindergartens are receiving special attention. Road markings are being repainted and road signs replaced. A special plan has been put into effect in which traffic police patrol the roads adjacent to schools in the morning and afternoon."
Parliamentary response
The Uzbek parliament also debated a draft bill, "On Amendments and Supplements to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan 'on Road Safety,'" November 12.
"The new bill proposes to give NGOs the right to participate in the efforts to improve traffic safety," Rashid Karimov, a parliamentary spokesman, told Central Asia Online. "This will give the public more leverage to address any important issues. Also, plans are in place to introduce legislative rules governing the mandatory presence of service stations on highways."
"In addition, the bill stipulates that the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics keep a record of the main road safety statistics," Karimov added. "Based on these statistics, (we’ll) decide ... how to further improve the system."
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Reader Comments
Using the modern technology is good. The cameras will help, too. But it was necessary to build a high culture. It is too late now. They should plan for 30 million people to improve their culture, since they didn't have what it takes to build a driving culture for 70 million people! Indeed, the culture of driving is completely absent in Iran!
Why doesn't it cover the Sergelinsky area where road marks have not been painted for 100 years and road police are taking advantage of it?
First, we need to build good roads, as it's impossible to drive around the city.
All these innovations are encouraging. Although not only the roads should be repaired, but the surface should be removed and paved again, because they like to patch holes leaving humps on the roads, and the traffic lights are not flashing with the index plate seen from a big distance; and finally "pedestrians” should be fined for ignoring traffic rules.
When will they repair the roads? The Khamza district is the worst. Khokims go only to the Kadysheva market. Apart from that they do nothing...or patch the road. I wonder what roads does khokim use? Is he blind? They planted grass, with road police hiding behind a fir tree. Here they go. Install a camera at the main entrance to the market. Not a single leftist will stop, but they do not care. They stay there catching their clients. This is outrageous.
Cameras are very good! Well, they are used all over the world. The traffic police are on a rampage in Tashkent. I think they would like to teach drivers not to break the rules at all. And then they will install cameras, but we'll be ready for it. For example, they took away my license, so I'm the most diligent driver in the city now.
I would suggest making a small strip of smooth-edged ridges in the asphalt, 30 meters away from a pedestrian crossing, where it is impossible or not advisable to install a traffic light. A meter or two-wide strip. Protruding no more than 1 cm. A driver going slow would not notice. A driver going fast will hear wheels humming and instinctively slow down. He and the pedestrian will have time to react to each other.
This is a great innovation for the city. Only one change would be great. This is a springy lever that is easy to press down, or a bulging button. Flush buttons in Germany collect dirt and infection.
Ok, I suppose we will sort it out with the speed data registrators, but what about traffic policemen talking on the phone? Nobody’s watching them; it’s absolutely outrageous.
Speed data registrators are a good thing, but first they need to put traffic lights in order. A huge number of traffic lights have bulbs and cannot be seen during the day, especially behind tree branches... And one more cool thing: at certain intersections, traffic lights on the opposite sides of the road go on at some interval, so when you complete a maneuver and the red light turns on, cars are rushing at you and you cannot understand whether they will stop at the stop line or keep going... The Academic Town is a trap... Road police do not even have lunch. They cannot allow drivers to ride for free... They are raking in money...for not giving way to the oncoming traffic... Money is not a big deal, but there may be trouble...
Cameras on traffic lights can be seen everywhere in Namangan. I noticed it when I went there. As always, everything new is tested there.
It is always like this in our country: at first, they build a road and afterward they break it to change pipes. The road builders should offer quality guarantees because roads do not last even a year.
Roads should be repaired as soon as possible, otherwise our drivers will soon all be Paris-Dakar champions.
Hi, what about police officers? Or their violations will be erased?
Both the article and the law are correct: we have too many traffic violations in Uzbekistan. It is good that they are tackling it finally and fighting it with severity. Still, they need to control the bus schedule because one cannot get home after 8 p.m., after visiting friends or attending a theater performance as all transport stops going, and people are looking for private taxis to get home.
$30 million (59.2 billion sums) can be provided, but when it comes to fixing roads they have no dough. Of course, this is another way to rob people. On the top, they pass laws without consulting ordinary people. And most importantly, we never know when a directive has been adopted. We learn of it when we get into these situations. Now, if you do not pay on time with an interest. Bloody hell! We have crazy fines.
First, we need to rebuild roads, crossings, fences, etc. to make sure there are no violations, and then install speed data recorders to issue tickets - it is as simple as that...
They are doing something, and it's good. The main thing is that they should not stop. At least, a few idiots on the road will be fined.
It is necessary to move the traffic light near the school down the Chinobod street... There is no bus stop on the right side of the road, and kids do not cross the road there... They cross the road near the bus stop where there is no traffic light... The traffic light is misleading.
How do you feel about the fact that at intersections, where the traffic lights were flashing, the inspectors were not present, but as soon as these lights stopped flashing all of a sudden, they were right there (Tashkent, the Pushkin Square, old TashMI, etc.)? Cameras were installed on cars, and now they install them on inspectors’ private cars (top-class conspiracy). WHY DO ROAD INSPECTORS LOVE TO HIDE BEHIND TREES AND BUSHES, AND NOT STAND IN THE OPEN AND LIGHTED PLACES? When pulling up a driver, an inspector does not explain the reason but asks for a license.
I have not yet seen a single speed data recorder in the city. They will pocket the money, report them hidden and fine drivers indiscriminately.
Speed data registrators are good, but I do not believe it. This is real money for traffic police. They will break down often, but there will be no one to fix them.
For pedestrians’ safety it is necessary to make sure there are sidewalks on two-way roads. They need to control firms that enclose their possessions beyond what is permitted, so people sometimes have to go to the roadway to get around fenced areas. Restrain the intruders who illegally extend their surroundings.
Speed registrators are great. They will put up signs to make you guilty all the time.
Innovations are very good, but if you fix a camera at every pole, if there is no culture of driving and culture in the education of generations where loving parents give their children a car and a license as a graduation present, it will flourish - tanish-bilish and aka-uka, the continuation of the old system is realistic.
I am interested in the "No parking"signs around the Kadysheva market and their legitimacy. It is impossible to park a car there to drop off or pick up my wife with bags. One has to stop miles away or drive into the market. Why cannot I park there?
All will be, enjoy before they install them. As for the roads, let us sue road companies over accidents to defend our rights. It is easy to say but hard to do. Has anyone ever sued road companies over a broken wheel on the road? NO. Let's start to educate ourselves. How can road builders know where the pits are if no one complains? No complaints means everything is OK...
It would be wise to shut down the Department of Motor Vehicles and Traffic Control like in Ukraine. A bunch of talentless princelings. Yes, I agree, they use IT in the present world, and it only creates good opportunities for the driving culture. There is no doubt that the right action by the authorities will give a new impetus to the eradication of evil, such as corruption, in the security services.
It will be no good anyway! They have hired cops who enrolled for money, and now they need to cover the costs! They will have the skin off the motorists! They put up signs on the streets and charge ignoramuses for speeding! Or tell the driver to breathe in the glass and inhale his mouth aroma! Do they get high this way? Have they been using testers in the civilized world for quite a while? Or catch drivers for allegedly violating rules at the intersection with traffic lights off, although they were supposed to regulate traffic at that moment! Needless to say - the East is a delicate matter, Bahodir Akhmedovich!!
First: Anwar S. - driving schools should urgently introduce the subject “The culture of driving on the streets of cities, villages, etc." Look how young drivers are driving: no respect for other traffic participants and pedestrians! “Hooligan" driving, incivility, impunity everywhere! At the intersection almost 80% of drivers do not turn on turn signals, “flashing" lights and honking in the back, creating chaos, making drivers nervous and provoking an accident! Test their knowledge of traffic rules and the culture of driving! I'm sure that 60-70% of these drivers acquired licenses without studying!
Speed data registrators are good. But first let us fix what we have. For example: traffic lights. Many traffic lights do not blink for some reason, and immediately go yellow, and then red. One does not even have time to react. They must blink to warn. Or am I wrong? The roads are not encouraging also. It is necessary to begin with it.
The cameras should have been installed 10 years ago, and not only at intersections.
Indeed, big steps have been made to improve road safety. Traffic accidents are the cause of death and disability. Along with strict observance of traffic rules by drivers, street equipment, it is important to educate pedestrians to watch traffic lights and prohibit them from using phones on the sidewalk. I often see people walking on the sidewalk without looking around or talking on the phone in the middle of the roadway, walking quietly like a boa constrictor. Question regarding parents with children crossing in a wrong place and shouting "where are you going?" Look how many people jump over road barriers like “goats." Underpasses have been made for people’s safety, so that people could cross the road without much difficulty. What is going on in the old town, the Kukeldash madrasa - they walk straight towards your car without fear, but the traffic police fine drivers, and not pedestrians. People, you should understand that the car is a piece of metal, and you cannot stop it immediately!
These are indirect solutions to Problem 6 such as traffic cameras, an anti-corruption drive and others! We must resolutely rebuild and maintain our roads! Why haven’t presidential decrees on road repairs and rehabilitation been implemented in the city!? After all, funny to say, it is the capital of the Republic, but the roads are just in poor condition! I especially want to highlight the terrible condition of roads in the Hamza district! Take the section of the road, if one can call it so, between the Kadyshev market and the Tashselmash subway station! It is a shame before the guests of the city! It is not clear who will repair the road! Of course, cameras and new traffic lights are welcome but good roads are the top priority! They should start with them! I am a driver with 43 years of experience, and I want to say there was no road mayhem like this in the Soviet time!
This is good, upgrades are necessary. But they should make sure the tickets are sent by SMS and mail is delivered on time. It happens that you are summoned to appear on 01.02.2013 but the summons are delivered on 15.02.2013. To avoid queues, they should introduce online payments and payments by plastic cards because they pay our wages on card accounts. As for the pedestrians, it is necessary to equip traffic lights with buttons. I saw children playing there with traffic police watching, so I had to wait until they stopped playing...
It is the end of January 2013 but street intersections have not been equipped! Have they wasted the whole budget again? It is sad when everybody says words but does nothing. I surfed the Internet and found the CORDON system. It is a great system and it works properly! Kazan is equipped with it. They would do it if they wanted to, but probably they don't.
This is all for the better.
It is ok, but...as usual, no money or time is spent on good road repairs. They have to repair not only principal roads but also internal, secondary ones. To do so, district government should inspect them at least once a month.
Well, let's see how it will be. I now wish successful introduction of the system. First in the central parts of the city, but security will be higher anyway, and I also hope that at least some of the drivers will improve their traffic rule knowledge. Wish you success in implementation.
It is a very good idea to use cameras (if they actually work). For example, near my house (School 173 bus stop on the Mukimi street), every time some yahoo drives on the red light!
They better deal with the country's economy.
I agree with you 100 percent.
Use government routes - they are the best in town.
With such bad roads, it is impossible to reduce number of accidents.
Before reducing road corruption, it is necessary to create conditions on the roads, free parking lots in front of public places, taxi signs, and regulate properly.
The Muslims are hated even by the devil. Allah is above us, Inshaallah!
I think our traffic cops with their plans will still be breaking laws. They're monsters. Near the Interior Ministry, a brazen cop gave me a 100 thousand ticket for nothing.
Novelties on the roads are great! It means that we step forward in time, but as correctly noted by pedestrians and motorists, START INNOVATIONS WITH ROAD REPAIRS.
What about those who rent out their cars and get "chain letters"? There are a lot of nuances if you do not take care of everything, but order in any case will be where speed data recorders are. PS. They were right about the roads, it is necessary to review the paving technology. They have money for it (250 sum per each liter of fuel). Our roads are very expensive.
Very large fines plus video surveillance. One can go bankrupt...
I see many of you are pessimists. Why do not you believe in a bright future? Have you forgotten what your republic was like 10 years ago? And how it changed now? For instance, I'm happy with the way things are. You'll see, soon our roads will be silky smooth.
They should repair roads first...
Maybe they will change signs? There are signs hidden by the trees, speed limit signs such as 40 or 50, and traffic police is hiding there with their radars. Until you get caught driving 60, you will not see the 40 sign. Well, how will you explain to this traffic cop that you did not see anything?
As for the lights it is all OK, but roads are the main problem. We paid taxes but they failed to fix the roads. Who can I appeal to if it my car brakes down after hitting a pit?
I suggest installing on all traffic lights in Tashkent as many electronic displays as possible, showing a countdown to the red or green light, like the one at Glinka, not far from the Russian embassy. Because when you are driving fast to catch the green light and it suddenly goes yellow and red, and so you drive on the red light to avoid an accident in violation of traffic rules.
The right step for the future! I am glad.
They still need to minimize the time for blocking the city’s main roads in the morning hours.
I take a positive attitude to the new rules. It is good that students are also taught these rules at school.
It would be good to put up warning signs before speed data registrators to give drivers an opportunity to slow down.
Why all the fuss? They should rebuild the roads as these pits cause many accidents. With cameras, it is right to some extent, only our officials cannot refrain from pocketing funds allocated for improvements.
Maybe it's all good, but where is the proof that the photo was taken in the speed limit zone, and not before it? Also, there is no confirmation from the standardization agency that the speed data recorder complies with standards, and it was always required for old radars. So, the image was taken outside the city, and you have to pay as if you were driving in the city!!!
The roads are really terrible.
I approve the use of speed data recorders. On the Andijan-Tashkent road, there is a traffic light in the village of Karaktay but many drivers break traffic rules. It would be great to install speed data recorders there.
All is right! Innovations to improve safety, pavement, markings, signs, etc. and the CULTURE in the first place! A real incident: in the village of Yangibazar, I drove on green driving from Dzhumabazar in 2007. At the entrance to the market - it is about 400 meters - a road police team said that I drove on red. They looked very funny. They gave me a ticket, and one good police officer said, "We have a plan." It is the subject of culture. In Georgia, for instance, an officer is punishable by up to 25 years with the confiscation of property from the offender, his family and even his mistress, as for a violation (especially a bribe). Immediately, all started to respect the law. Is there a guarantee that the perky police officer will not start sending tickets to his favorite numbers? Can drivers install dash cams on their cars? Will videos be accepted to settle disputes?
Thanks for the innovations! I suggest warning drivers and pedestrians about the location of cameras and traffic lights, so that pedestrians do not suffer and drivers do not have to pay until they learn and get used to the innovation, since all novelties sometimes confuse people. Even if a driver knows where the cameras and new traffic lights are, he will be on alert. And it may be that "there is a camera or not..." While he is thinking about it, he can commit another violation or get into an accident.
Do not worry as we can always come to a compromise with a person who films violations on camera! Thus, the bribes from all roads will flow to one pocket!
Uzbeks has led a healthy life style for centuries... There are no smokers or drinkers in the streets... Communities are guided by common sense... Their relationship with others is an important element of a balanced life... In the future, by respecting and improving the new bill and reducing the risks, people will probably take traffic safety regulations more seriously, competently and even better... Because they are hard-working people... Their potential benefits are undisputed... Never forget...to live well and prosper... Wish you all the best and good luck, Uzbekistan!
I would like to add to the novelties of Anvar S! As a driver with a 39-year experience, I suggest introducing an additional subject “The culture of driving on the roads” at driving schools. Drivers nowadays do not respect other drivers on the road, nor they respect pedestrians. While driving, they splash you with a puddle, dust and dirt; they drive fast indiscriminately just to show off themselves and their cars; they absolutely do not respect other road users in the city and pedestrians! There is no mutual assistance, driver's brotherhood, as before!
Give references in the article to “Auto-test" "Caution Children" etc. Without references, the article is simply a set of phrases!
This is a very good site, I will post a link on my site.
I think that before you think about traffic lights, you need to fix the roads. The roads like Elbek St. in the Hamza district of Tashkent wreck our cars, although we pay automatically for road repairs, and dangerous situations are created with drivers trying to steer around the pits, almost bumping into each other. That's what needs to be taken care of! But there is no one to do so! All khokimiyats do not give a damn!
It is high time to eradicate corruption on the roads. Fines will flow to the budget, not the pockets of brazen traffic policemen. They pocket 50,000 per person for speeding and build two-story cottages. They should pass a law to create incentives for drivers who do not break the rules.
Well, it is true, Tashkent roads are getting worse.
THEY SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO TURN LIGHTS. IT WOULD BE GREAT.!! MOST DRIVERS FAIL TO TURN ON TURN LIGHTS WHEN TURNING, CONFUSING OTHER DRIVERS AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS. IF TRAFFIC POLICE PAID ATTENTION TO IT, IT WOULD BE BETTER!!!
This is right, this is the only step to make life easier for the people.
We must always do something, only then something will change. Even if it is not very convenient in the beginning. But this is not a habit. When you do something, you always keep moving, and if you move, you advance, almost never going back. The law of life is the movement. As for the traffic lights, it may be a little difficult for us, but not for the younger generation.
Speed limits in towns are often ridiculous. I suggest changes - drivers should be free to drive at any speed depending on the circumstances, but not exceeding the speed limit in the settlements.
I am good!
Your traffic lights do not work at the Interior Ministry intersection.
Its extremely a great step in Road safety. Deaths due to road accidents is the Third most common cause of death in the world today.Along with strict enforcement of traffic rules with necessery street furnitures,its important to educate road users to follow the signals and respect LIFE.Educating children helps in a long term as they are going to become future drivers.
Very good. Whatever one may say, they are doing at least something for the humanity’s convenience. Good job, Uzbek aka.