Brakes applied on traffic controls

The Ministry of Public Security has ordered the country's police to reduce the frequency of road closures and to minimize the time required for traffic controls for officials' trips.

Coming in response to the central authority's latest call to fight formalities and bureaucracy, including excessive security measures that disrupt traffic, the ministry said in a circular made public on Friday that the moves aim to "avoid inconveniencing the public wherever possible" and guarantee their normal traffic rights.

Police officers are encouraged to step up inspection and research to solve problems of major public concern, according to a statement from the ministry's traffic management bureau.