On December 19, the Sme daily published an interview with Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák in which he explained his decision in August 2006 to change the top positions in the police corps as switching the emphasis from the fight against organised crime to everyday crime and improving the traffic situation.
Therefore, the "Hawk" road safety spot checks implemented under his predecessor were cancelled and replaced with preventative measures. Some say this has resulted in a growing number of fatalities on Slovak roads.
While 517 people died in accidents during eleven months in 2006, 60 more than that have already been killed this year. Still, Kaliňák continues to deny that canceling the "Hawk" programme was a mistake. He said fatalities have increased in neighbouring countries as well because of the growing number of cars on the roads. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
