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“Traffic surveillance video and speed cameras as well as paid parking lots known as “Red lines” are at every step throughout Yerevan. Their goal is to reduce the traffic violations and accidents, to regulate the traffic. However, the public believes those devices are installed intentionally and are conditioned by financial expectations,” Chairman of “Armenian Consumers' Association” NGO, Karen Chilingaryan told a press conference on Friday in Yerevan.

To his words, speed cameras and surveillance devices are accepted in the world, yet in Yerevan the number is too much, especially on the crossroads.

“Cameras are assumed to be used finding out those guilty for car accidents, but not for crossing solid line markings on the roads,” he stressed.

As to the so-called “Red lines”, the designated paid parking lots along beside the roads, Chilingaryan referred to the world practice to designate parking space on wide streets to avoid traffic jam.

“There should have been made investments and designate special space for the parking. The drivers would have benefited from them, while today the red lines are the reason for the traffic jam in Yerevan,” suggested the speaker, complaining about the fact that those spaces are in narrow streets.

Chilingaryan next welcomed the instruction by President Serzh Sargsyan to work out legal mechanisms be transfer the functions and administration of the control of the traffic rules, including financial flows to the state and community structures.

“We will see what benefits the citizens and drivers may gain from that decision,” Chilingaryan said, pointing out to one suggestion as to place traffic lights in the drivers’ sight.

Artak Khachatryan, council member of the “Driver’s friend” NGO, present at the meeting, considers the President’s instruction as an attempt to organize efficient administration. He noted that in Armenia “Red lines” serve means to squeeze money, while in other states paid parking system is aimed at uploading the city roads.