The Motor Insurers' Bureau of Latvia (LTAB) and the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) are implementing a publicity campaign "If you don't have OCTA - don't drive!". During the campaign, several photo radar installations will perform OCTA and technical inspection control throughout Latvia. OCTA is the compulsory third-party insurance that all motor vehicles must have to be driven legally on the road.
Jānis Abāšins, the chairman of the board of LTAB, said in an interview with the Latvian Television it is estimated that about 3% of people drive a car that does not have compulsory civil liability insurance.
About 200-300 vehicles without insurance get into accidents every year. Many of them also lack the necessary annual technical inspection certification that they are roadworthy.
A survey conducted before the LTAB campaign concluded that a very large number (40.4%) of drivers were unaware that photo radar and police crews can now detect electronically when a car is driving without valid insurance or a roadworthiness test.
"As part of the campaign, we will carry out extensive preventive work, explaining to drivers that OCTA or a roadworthiness testing is not just a formality imposed on drivers by the state, but a guarantee of safety for the driver, passengers and other road users," said Abāšins.
As well as several photo radar sites, a specially equipped car, will perform vehicle inspection on the move among road traffic.
