New Traffic Law Takes Effect as Basbous Says it Aims to 'End Road Tragedies'
A new traffic law has taken effect on Wednesday despite concerns among the people over the high fines against violations.
Internal Security Forces chief Ibrahim Basbous sought to appease fears by stressing that the law is aimed “ending the tragedies on the road and ensuring the safety of the people,” reported the daily An Nahar on Wednesday.
“It is the beginning, not the end,” he declared, while explaining that it will be adopted in phases that will take around two months to be completely in effect.
Awareness campaigns will be carried out during this period to shed light on the law in order to ease the people's concerns.
“They should adhere to the law out of their convictions, not fear, because it protects them,” Basbous explained.
“Our goal is not to issue fines, but successfully respect the law,” he stressed.
“The members of the ISF are working tirelessly to implement all laws,” he added.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq hoped to al-Mustaqbal daily that the people will respect the law “out of their faith in the state.”
“It was adopted to save their lives, not raise taxes,” he remarked.
The controversial law, which angered Lebanese citizens due to the high fines, is set to target major traffic offenses.
It was adopted by the parliament in 2012.
NGOs had hoped that the implementation of the new law would reduce the soaring traffic accidents across the country.
According to YASA, more than 840 people are killed in road accidents every year and more than ten thousand are injured.
M.T.
H.K.
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