YEREVAN TAXI DRIVERS HAVE NOWHERE TO PARK, PROTEST FINES
02.24.2014 19:44 epress.am
The Automobile Drivers Defense League is preparing to appeal several
acts of infringement caught on high-speed CCTV cameras that concern
incorrect taxi parking, said the defense league's lawyer, Mkrtich
Muradyan, at a press conference today.
"The only reason is the lack of parking, which exists every day and
which gives cause for great concern. If the government is unable
to solve the problem of [lack of] parking over a certain period of
time, automobile drivers will stage ongoing protest rallies. The next
problem refers to the amount of fines [for violations] recorded by
CCTV cameras, which, in our opinion, are quite high. Fines of 30-50
thousand dram [about $72-$121 USD] do not reflect our reality and
they must be changed," he said.
Another problem, he said, is the unnecessary, artificially created
delays in the courts related to appeals: "They say that supposedly
there are some technical shortcomings and the appeals are sent back,
but this red tape leads to the fact that those drivers who are unable
to defend their interests are forced to pay the administrative fines
in full."
Press conference attendee, taxi driver Manvel Avetisyan stressed that
prior to the introduction of a new street parking system (demarcated
by red paint) there were at least one or two parking spaces for taxis,
but now there's nowhere that taxis can stop to wait for customers
without having to pay parking fees.
"We need about 300 parking spots. Please don't fine us, since the
government has not yet made a corresponding decision. We will appeal
all fines," said Automobile Drivers Defense League President Tigran
Hovhannisyan.
02.24.2014 19:44 epress.am
The Automobile Drivers Defense League is preparing to appeal several
acts of infringement caught on high-speed CCTV cameras that concern
incorrect taxi parking, said the defense league's lawyer, Mkrtich
Muradyan, at a press conference today.
"The only reason is the lack of parking, which exists every day and
which gives cause for great concern. If the government is unable
to solve the problem of [lack of] parking over a certain period of
time, automobile drivers will stage ongoing protest rallies. The next
problem refers to the amount of fines [for violations] recorded by
CCTV cameras, which, in our opinion, are quite high. Fines of 30-50
thousand dram [about $72-$121 USD] do not reflect our reality and
they must be changed," he said.
Another problem, he said, is the unnecessary, artificially created
delays in the courts related to appeals: "They say that supposedly
there are some technical shortcomings and the appeals are sent back,
but this red tape leads to the fact that those drivers who are unable
to defend their interests are forced to pay the administrative fines
in full."
Press conference attendee, taxi driver Manvel Avetisyan stressed that
prior to the introduction of a new street parking system (demarcated
by red paint) there were at least one or two parking spaces for taxis,
but now there's nowhere that taxis can stop to wait for customers
without having to pay parking fees.
"We need about 300 parking spots. Please don't fine us, since the
government has not yet made a corresponding decision. We will appeal
all fines," said Automobile Drivers Defense League President Tigran
Hovhannisyan.