International road safety expert Salama Kouache stated that the penalties introduced in the draft traffic law are sufficient to deter violators and limit the circulation of non-compliant spare parts.
In a press statement on Tuesday, Kouache explained that counterfeit spare parts lead to traffic accidents, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts among relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Commerce, to seize and prevent the entry of such parts that compromise road safety and security levels.
Regarding violations related to technical inspections, Kouache noted that these infractions could stem from either technical inspection agencies or the drivers themselves. In some cases, inspection reports are issued for vehicles that are unfit for travel due to serious technical defects.
He added that some drivers resort to borrowing tires or specific accessories solely to present the vehicle for technical inspection, only to remove them after obtaining the report. This makes the report appear valid on the surface, while the vehicle remains full of technical defects that threaten the safety of road users. This practice is among the manipulations that the new law aims to confront strictly.
Kouache confirmed that the reliance of many drivers on counterfeit or used spare parts has become a worrying phenomenon, as these parts lack quality standards and pose a significant danger on the roads. He added that many accidents are recorded due to these parts; although accident reports often attribute the cause to the driver losing control, the underlying reason is frequently the use of non-compliant parts that weaken vehicle performance.
Article 156 of the draft traffic law stipulates that anyone who manufactures, imports, sells, or places vehicle spare parts on the market knowing they are counterfeit or do not meet required standards shall be punished by three to five years in prison and a fine ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 DZD.
The penalty increases to four to six years in prison and a fine of 400,000 to 600,000 DZD if counterfeit or non-compliant spare parts directly cause a traffic accident resulting in injury to one or more persons.
Furthermore, the penalty is five to seven years in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 700,000 DZD if counterfeit or non-compliant spare parts directly cause a traffic accident resulting in the death of one or more persons.
The expert concluded by calling on all relevant bodies to strengthen oversight of the spare parts market and strictly apply the new penalties to protect citizens’ lives and reduce accidents related to vehicle safety.
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