The recently revised traffic law’s penalties, which some have described as stringent, are not intended for routine traffic violations, but rather for specific and legally defined circumstances, according to the Minister of Justice, Lotfi Boujemaa.
During a parliamentary session dedicated to discussing the fundamental law of the judiciary, the Minister clarified that these penalties apply to severe cases, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or fleeing the scene of an accident to evade responsibility.
Regarding pre-trial detention, Boujemaa emphasized that it constitutes a very small percentage of cases, not exceeding 0.5%. He asserted that these instances are linked to serious offenses, including driving while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics, and possessing a forged driver’s license.
The Minister stated that judges are fully aware of their responsibilities and carefully consider the specifics of each case.
Boujemaa acknowledged concerns surrounding the law as legitimate but cautioned against exaggeration. He reassured the public that the primary objective is to protect lives while considering various factors contributing to traffic accidents, including road conditions.
He further explained that the law’s heightened penalties are only applied following a thorough and in-depth judicial investigation. The legislation was prepared by experts with the involvement of various stakeholders in the sector.
The Minister also noted that certain penal provisions were not clearly understood by some citizens, leading to questions and concerns.
In closing, Boujemaa reiterated that the revised traffic law aims to reorganize, regulate, and strengthen certain provisions in response to the alarming increase in traffic accidents. He emphasized that the law is designed to address emerging issues and close gaps revealed by real-world incidents and accidents.
DZWatch News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this important legislation.
