About cops and traffic laws

I am sure there are traffic laws in Armenia written somewhere. After all, this is a civilized country. Maybe the people who wrote them know the laws. Cops should know them. How else would they know what to stop the drivers for? Unfortunately, that's about it. Most of the drivers have never really taken a test, because it is easier to pay a little extra and get your driver license without one. And those who do not own a car might suspect there are some regulations somewhere, but have no proof.

So, what you get is chaos. Here are some conversations with our drivers that show how difficult it will be to bring our streets to order.

"You know, in the States the pedestrians have the right of way regardless of whether or not they are crossing at the crosswalk or not. You might get a ticket for jaywalking, but the cars will stop the minute you leave the sidewalk, even if you shouldn't be crossing there." That's me talking to our young driver.
"Why is that?" asks he. "The car is harder to control than one's own legs. The cars should have the right of way.
"A car shouldn't be hard to control, if it's technically sound," - says I. - "Besides, a pedestrian can't do much to a car, even if they kick it. The car on the other hand, could kill a person if it runs over them."
"So, I would have to stop every second and give way to everyone who wants to cross? That's stupid",,- insists the driver.
"No, the law works both ways, and if most drivers drive by the rules, most people cross streets at assigned crossings, too. They will get fined if they don't."

The problem is not only that the drivers don't drive by the rules, but also that many intersections are set up so that there is virtually no chance to cross them. Either there is red light, and the cars are coming from the opposite direction, or, when the green is on and you try to cross, they turn your way from behind the corner. One has to cross one line at a time, always wondering if one day they won't make it. Small wonder that most people jaywalk all they want. If the crossings are no better than the middle of the street, what's the point of keeping to them?

Here is another dialog with the same young man, who, by the way, has a certificate of a master of sportsmanship in driving.
"I got pulled over yesterday," - he tells me. - "The cop told me I was blocking the intersection."
"Were you?"
"Well, I was trying to cross, but the traffic got too dense and I was stuck way beyond the white line when the light changed."
"So you were."
"What could I do?"
"Wait until it clears out on the other side of the intersection before proceeding".
"Yeah, right! If I drive by the rules, I will never get anywhere!"
"If everybody drives by the rules, you will get there faster."
"Yeah, but no one esle does."
"So, did you get a ticket?"
"Of course not!"
"How come?"
"I just told the policeman who my father was and he let me go."

His father is some big shot in what you might call an Automobile Association. An organization which ultimately is called to enforce the safe and regulated driving.