Armenia's Rise in Car Accidents: 362 Dead and 6,200 Injured in 2023

The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Armenia has reported a disturbing increase in both car accidents and overall offenses in the country during the year 2023. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aram Hovhannisyan presented the comprehensive results, revealing a total of 35,052 crimes documented in the eleven months of the previous year.

A significant uptick was observed in various sectors, particularly in the alarming rise of traffic accidents and drug trafficking. Hovhannisyan addressed the rise in the number of recorded murders, explaining that the new Criminal Code mandated legal proceedings into sudden deaths, contributing to the increase. However, he clarified that the actual number of intentional murders decreased by seven, from 52 to 45.

Illegal arms trafficking also experienced a surge, with 300 more cases identified. A total of 1,415 weapons, including 305 rifles, 11 machine guns, 21 mortars, and 5 sniper rifles, were either confiscated or voluntarily surrendered during the reporting period.

The illegal circulation of drugs reached a concerning level, increasing by 2.5 times in Armenia in 2023.

The most alarming was the surge in traffic accidents, with a total of 4,368 recorded during the year. Tragically, these accidents resulted in the loss of 362 lives and left 6,200 others injured. This marked an increase of 258 cases compared to the previous year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs attributed this rise to the partial implementation of the police patrol service during the reporting period. To address this issue, the Ministry emphasized the importance of video surveillance cameras in problematic areas to enhance monitoring and deter traffic offenses.