DUSHANBE, August 18, Asia-Plus  -- 534,772 instances of violation of the traffic regulations have been recorded in Tajikistan since the beginning of this year, according to the Tajik traffic police directorate.  

This figure includes 1,042 instances of use of a cellular phone while driving.  These instances have been registered since July 3, 2008, when the law on amendments to the country’s administrative code took effect.  Part 9 of Article 120 of this law bans mobile phone use while driving the inattention and distraction created by the use of a cellular telephone while driving increases the risk of accident.  Under this law, infringers are fined from one to three minimum monthly wages. 

Besides, the traffic police officers have also recorded 24,576 instances of driving vehicles without a driving license and 6,515 instances of driving vehicles in a drunken state.  

Raids made by the traffic police over the report period have revealed 5,419 vehicles without number plates and 4,749 vehicles with tinted glasses, the traffic police directorate said.