The Legal Affairs Committee reviewed in the II reading the draft amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code and approved introducing changes to the initial version of the bill.

According to the reporter, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, the movement of N2 and/or N3 category vehicles on public roads within the administrative boundaries of the City of Tbilisi Municipality (except on roads where transit traffic is permitted), where the destination of the cargo transport is not the City of Tbilisi, will result in a fine of GEL 500. Driving a vehicle on a sidewalk will result in a fine of GEL 200.

Under the amendments, non-compliance with the requirements of the prohibitory signs “No Stopping” or “No Parking,” as well as other violations of stopping and parking regulations, in the cities of Akhaltsikhe and Ozurgeti - similar to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Mtskheta, Rustavi, Poti, Zugdidi, and/or the resorts of Georgia - will result in a fine of GEL 50. The same fine will apply when such violations are committed by M3, N2, N3, or T category vehicles.

As stated by Darakhvelidze, stopping or parking a vehicle on a sidewalk or pedestrian crossing will result in a fine of GEL 10, while in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Mtskheta, Rustavi, Gori, Telavi, Poti, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe, Ozurgeti, and/or the resorts of Georgia, the fine will amount to GEL 100. He further noted that failure to comply with the prohibitory sign “No Stopping at a Fire Hydrant” will result in a fine of GEL 200.

According to the draft law, driving, stopping, or parking a vehicle - other than a public transport vehicle - in a special lane (BUS LANE) designated for route vehicles and arranged in the opposite direction of the general traffic flow will result in a fine of GEL 200. Furthermore, the intentional skidding or drifting of a vehicle, including circular drifting, which results in minor damage to a vehicle, cargo, road infrastructure, other property, or minor bodily injury to a person, will lead to a fine of GEL 500 and suspension of the driving license for six months.

Corresponding amendments are also envisaged in the Law on Road Traffic. In particular, a new prohibitory road sign - “No Stopping at a Fire Hydrant” - will be added. Amendments will also be introduced to the table governing the reduction of points assigned to a driving license.