The Intelligent Transport Management Center of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs commented on traffic congestion reported the previous day on Hovsan (MIDA) road in the capital’s Surakhani district.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Omar Khidirov, head of the center’s Public Relations Sector, said footage recorded by surveillance cameras showed that some drivers had entered the oncoming lane on the road, which they were using as an alternative route, making it difficult for vehicles traveling in the opposite direction to proceed.
He said that, at the same time, some drivers had failed to follow the rules at the junction ahead, causing artificial traffic congestion. “As a result, traffic on the Zigh highway-Hovsan, Hovsan-Zigh highway and ‘Kand Hovsan’ routes came to a standstill for some time. The chaotic situation was resolved following measures taken by traffic police officers,” he said.
Omar Khidirov said that to prevent such incidents, drivers should not only comply with traffic rules but also show respect for other road users. “Restrictions may be introduced on roads for various reasons, repair work may be carried out or traffic accidents may occur. In such cases, traffic congestion is natural. Unfortunately, however, some drivers’ approach of ‘I will get through, let the others wait’ leads them to enter the lane for oncoming traffic, obstruct vehicles traveling in the opposite direction and cut ahead of the queue at junctions, further prolonging the congestion,” he said.
