The Russian traffic police chief ordered on Tuesday an examination into the effects of high temperatures on drivers and police officers as the abnormal heat continues to ravage Russia.
"Russia's chief sanitary official [Gennady Onishchenko] and I have signed a directive for those regions of Russia where traffic is most intense and where the heat is the same as in Moscow," Viktor Kiryanov said at a news conference.
"The temperature is about 5 degrees higher because of the asphalt. How does this affect drivers and inspectors?" he asked.
Temperatures in Moscow have hovered at over 30 degrees Celcius (nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit) for four weeks already and meteorologists have not forecasted much relief in the near future.
When the findings are analyzed, Kiryanov said, the police will take "necessary measures."
Kiryanov did not specify, however, which measures could possibly be taken.
In the meantime, he called on motorists to abstain from driving.
MOSCOW, July 20 (RIA Novosti)
