720,000 MNT fine for washing cars in the river

In 2010, the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Green Development, Ulaanbaatar City Governor’s Office, Traffic Police Department and the State Specialized Inspection Agency adopted an ordinance to suspend the driving licenses of drivers who are caught washing their vehicles in the Tuul River for two years. They also announced that individuals washing their carpets, clothes and other items in the Tuul River would have legal action taken against them and faced imprisonment.

At the time, a regular roving patrol of horses, vehicles and boats was deployed along the Tuul river. When the warm seasons come, the flow of visitors heading to the river dramatically increases, and every year visitors can be seen washing their cars and clothes in the river despite the ordinance.

Below is a short interview with Police Lieutenant, inspector in charge of Press and Website of the Preventive Division of the Traffic Police Department (TPD), N.Purevdorj.

-In summertime, drivers wash their cars in rivers and pollute the water every year. Is the ordinance suspending driver’s licenses for two years still being applied?

-Since the ordinance came into effect, we have caught a few people washing their cars at the Tuul River and suspended their driving licenses. We are still suspending the licenses now on the basis of Traffic Regulation 2.7.E for polluting river water.

-The number of citizens washing cars in rivers is not declining. Exactly how many drivers have had their driving licenses suspended so far?

-I am not sure about the exact number. The Order Enforcement Police Division is in charge of it as the drivers polluting river water is unrelated to traffic.

-Exactly who is responsible for managing and monitoring this issue?

-As these types of cases are connected to water and environment, the Ulaanbaatar City Nature, Environment and Green Development Authority (UCNEGDA) is responsible for monitoring the issue. Before the Naadam holiday, UCNEGDA and TPD have agreed to cooperate and we will decide what projects to cooperate on soon.

E.Jargalsaikhan, Environment and Natural Reserve Division’s official in charge of the Nature, Environment and Detailed Assessment of UCNEGDA also gave some details.

-How many drivers a day have their driving licenses suspended for polluting river water?

-We catch an average of ten such cases a day and impose legal actions on them. No detailed census has been made.

-I heard that suspending driving licenses is not that common. What kind of fine is imposed on the drivers?

-We fine those drivers with 5,000 to 10,000 MNT, according to administrative responsibility law, and give a warning. The Mongolian Law on Water states that a 720,000 MNT fine should be imposed for such violation, but citizens never agree to pay this fine. They oppose paying it for washing one car in a river. If the driver of an “excel” car is fined, the fine costs nearly as much as the car. Those who have low income or poor morality are likely to wash their cars in the river.

Related officials had a similar stance on the issue. When an ordinance issued by the state is applied, no drivers follow it and police fail to enforce the ordinance.

The reason that the number of drivers washing their cars in river hasn’t decreased is undoubtedly due to weak enforcement of the law.

Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=5042