KHUJAND, January 5, Asia-Plus -- Last year, 558 traffic accidents were reported in the northern province of Sughd, the Sughd traffic police directorate chief, Otabek Rahimov announced at a news conference in Khujand on January 4.    

During the news conference it was noted that 137 people had been killed and almost 600 others had been injured in those 558 accidents in northern Tajikistan .   433 traffic accidents were caused by violation of traffic regulations by drivers of private transport, Otabek Rahimov said.  “In total, more than 20,000 cases of violation of traffic regulations were registered last year; of them, 1613 cases are related to driving car in a state of intoxication,” the Sughd traffic police chief said.  

            At present, some 200 traffic police inspectors re working in Sughd Province , who are compelled to work for two after 50-percent redundancy.

“Our efforts are aimed, first of all, at carrying out explanatory and educational work among drivers,” Otabek Rahimov said, calling on representatives from media to actively participate in this process