Country-wide traffic telephone launched in June

Madis Filippov
, reporter
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Photo: SCANPIX

Starting June 1st, dangerous drivers can be reported via a pan-Estonian police traffic telephone line, dialling 14 900. In Southern Estonia, such service has been available since 2007, already.

«Traffic telephone is the softer side of police,» explains the project manager Baldur Pilden. «This is a kind of a filter: solving the minor traffic offences, also receiving information on other traffic threatening factors not directly linked to offences.»

For instance, the phone number may be used to report loose well lids – the information then passed on to competent authorities.

«Another use is answering citizens’ questions on traffic and traffic management, directing them to competent authorities and sources of information,» added Mr Pilden.

According to Mr Pilden, South-Estonians have well received the phone in its five years of use, the time now having arrived to test the service all over the country.

Initially, the pan-Estonian project lasts from June to September. Should there be a demand for it, the project will be prolonged.

What kinds of calls are expected? «Crossing an intersection under red light, endangering pedestrians by not letting them cross zebras, neglect of safety equipment, blocking gates or other vehicles, speeding, etc,» listed Mr Pilden.

The project manager added that once an offence is reported, by a phone call, a receptionist will contact the owner of the vehicle, letting him/her know that the offence has been noticed.

«If the owner agrees and admits to what happened, promising to do better from then on, that will be the end of it,» said Mr Pilden.

Should the offender argue back and be impolite, more serious consequences may follow. «Misdemeanour proceedings may be initiated, but then we will need to consider the following: do we have sufficient evidence? What was the nature of the offence? If there is reason to believe an offence has indeed been committed and the person concerned is unwilling to admit the guilt, a patrol unit may be launched,» explained Mr Pilden.

Mr Pilden underlined that the traffic phone is not anonymous, as false accusations need to be avoided. The calls are, as a rule, paid according to peak rate, with the exception of Elisa network.

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