2024-09-20 11:21:31
In the last 2 years, during which Bulgaria celebrates European Day without road fatalities, there have been no victims in accidents. This was reported by Maria Boteva from the Traffic Police. This year, Europe Day was on Wednesday 18 September.
There were no casualties in either 2023 or 2022. So far this Wednesday, there have also been no fatalities on the road.
Commissioner Boteva wished this year to be the same. In 2019, however, 5 people died, and a year later – 4. In 2017 and 2021, there was 1 victim each. The day has been celebrated in our country since 2016, then, as in 2018, there were no fatalities in accidents.
The event is part of the European Road Safety Week, which is under the auspices of the European Road Police Network Roadpol. A traffic police report requested by “24 Chasa” showed that in 2023, from September 16 to 22, there were 135 serious accidents with 8 deaths and 175 injuries. A year earlier, there were 2 fewer accidents, but one more person died in an accident, and 11 fewer people were injured. It is important to note that all those who sought medical help are considered injured. The Traffic Police do not receive data on whether it is a serious bodily injury or an arcade, for example.
It is important that at least one day our behavior is so responsible and as drivers and pedestrians we preserve both our lives and those of others, said Boteva. It’s easy, you just have to follow the rules, she pointed out. He asked that when children see improper behavior on the road, it should be explained to them that it is not done that way. “Stay alive! Save life!” is the motto of the action in our country. In Europe, it is spreading with the hashtag ZeroMeansLife – Zero Means Life. An emphasis both in Bulgaria and in Europe is the safety of children. The day for the prevention of children’s road safety this year will be on September 21 in Panagyurishte, where it will be combined with the final part of the traditional national competition “Road Policeman of the Year”. This will be his 30th anniversary edition.
From the beginning of the year to September 18, there were 318 people killed in accidents. This is 58 less than the same period last year. All the measures introduced last year helped to reduce the number of victims on the roads, Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov said during the procession of mothers of children who died in accidents. He didn’t go into specifics, but a check of “24 hours” showed that it mostly refers to 4 things.
From the beginning of August 2023, for example, they started to take away the cars of drivers with over 1.2 per million of alcohol in the blood or after using drugs.
The measure applies if the drivers are also the owners of the vehicle. Otherwise, the car is impounded, assessed, and in the case of a conviction, the driver pays the BGN equivalent. From the introduction of the measure until the end of August this year, a total of 4,473 cars were seized, 1,668 sentences were handed down and 792 cars were confiscated in favor of the state. In Sofia, 491 cars were seized during this period.
At the end of September and the measure was introduced for people to be notified of fines by SMS, Viber or email. The data show that it is effective – more than 45% of all debts are repaid. What is more interesting is that for those for 2024, in which there was a similar notification, the percentage is over 50. Gradually, work is also being done to send older obligations.
It also helped a lot to buy the new cars – both the 35 powerful beemvets with which to catch up with highway offenders, and the 200 golfs, which can also develop great speed. In addition, POS terminals were also introduced for the first time, so that when drivers are checked on the tablet and receive outstanding fines, they can pay on the spot.