The head of the Main Directorate of the Traffic Police (GAI) of the Belarusian Interior Ministry, Viktor Rotchenkov, spoke on state TV channel STV about the results of recent inspections at gas stations. The raids were launched after Alexander Lukashenko, during a government meeting last week, expressed outrage over online complaints about long lines at gas stations caused by drivers leaving their cars to go have coffee.
Rotchenkov noted that media coverage and social media posts on the issue had a preventive effect.
“It really worked as a preventive measure, and we didn’t need to introduce any extraordinary or additional forms of liability regarding queues. When the inspection teams visited the gas stations, the operators already knew how to organize their work,” he said.
According to him, gas station operators increased staffing levels.
“Indeed, many gas station operators brought in additional employees to manage customer flow, so there were no significant build-ups or queues. And as for drivers — perhaps those who once made mistakes realized them and didn’t repeat them,” Rotchenkov added.
He also said that those who were penalized during the raids were punished for “related violations” — such as driving without a license or being found behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol.