Interior minister bans traffic officers from stopping cars without justified reason

Interior Minister Victor Catan has issued an ordinance forbidding traffic officers from stopping automobiles unless the driver committed a traffic infraction or the car is wanted by the police. The ordinance, issued in a bid to deter bribes, also bans questioning of drivers and issuing of fines inside police cars. “This must be done openly, in public, even under pouring rain”, Catan told a press conference today, Info-Prim Neo reports. The minister admitted that bribery is commonplace among traffic officers, in particular at traffic police stations along public roads. But said that the drivers also share part of the blame. “Corruption and bribery exist as long as there is someone at the other end offering money”. The minister added that other steps were taken to counter bribery. “We initiated measures to rid the police of corrupt officers. Practically each week we arrest police officers for taking bribes”, said Catan.