"Spider" brought in around 200.000 euros

The Capital City Inspection Administration (UIP) earned around 200.000 euros from the operation of special "spider" vehicles from the beginning of the year until the end of August.

According to their data, these are fines collected for illegal parking, and in the same period, 450.000 euros in sanctions were imposed on the same grounds.

The Directorate for Inspection Affairs told "Vijesti" that through the activities of seven "spiders" they are trying to solve the problem of illegal parking in Podgorica. The city's "Parking Servis" company also said that illegal parking is a problem in the capital.

The Directorate for Inspection Affairs told "Vijesti" that because of this, they strive to "operate at maximum capacity every day."

"Despite the challenges, staffing capacities and the very pronounced traffic culture in Podgorica, we are making efforts to improve communal order. On the other hand, the problem of illegal parking cannot be solved by the actions of only one city service and only by the actions of 'spider' vehicles, and these are the experiences of much larger urban areas that have faced the aforementioned problem," said the company headed by Branko Kovačević.

They reminded that the city administration and relevant companies are "doing everything in their power to solve the problem of insufficient parking space."

"One of the measures is the construction of new parking spaces in all parts of the city. On the other hand, we are aware that traffic culture is at a low level, and that irresponsible citizens continue to endanger the safety of all traffic participants and create unnecessary traffic jams. City services, primarily the Directorate for Inspection Affairs of the Capital through the activities of the SMV 'spider', will continue to take measures and actions within their jurisdiction in the coming period so that all drivers who park illegally are sanctioned and thus ensure maximum safety and resolve traffic jams," the UIP said, adding that "the procurement of another 'spider' vehicle is underway."

They also said that they believe that by changing the regulations, moving illegally parked vehicles, and including the Municipal Police in the sanctioning process, "the problem of illegal parking will be reduced to a minimum."

"Until then, the Directorate for Inspection Affairs of the Capital City, with all its capacities, will continue with daily activities and intensive operation of 'spider' vehicles, which will move an average of about 50 illegally parked vehicles on a daily basis."

The Podgorica-based company "Parking Servis" told "Vijesti" that "the construction of new parking spaces and investment in modern infrastructure" are their constant priority.

"Our goal is to contribute to a more functional city and improve traffic flow in all urban areas, so that parking is easier and parking spaces are more accessible to everyone. Although the parking lots at the former 'Morača' barracks and at the 'Bazar' shopping center are relatively new, we are already noticing a noticeable reduction in traffic in those parts of the city, which is accompanied by positive comments from users," said the company, whose acting director is Nikola Lazović.

They emphasized that it is important to influence the awareness of drivers and awaken their responsibility towards public areas.

"... Because with their irresponsible and illegal parking, they can endanger the safety of other road users. We condemn any brazen occupation of public areas, but we can only regulate and improve public parking lots in our own, or owned by the Capital City. By introducing new parking capacities, improving our application and informing drivers, we want to provide everyone with an accessible parking space," said the "Parking Service".