Highway Speed Cameras: City-Wide Enforcement
- Bulgarian lawmakers are reviewing proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act, addressing issues ranging from speed limits to drug testing protocols.
- Under the proposed amendments, municipal CCTV cameras would be used to monitor vehicle speeds.
- Six separate proposals are currently under consideration in parliament.
Bulgarian Parliament Considers Road Traffic Act Amendments
Bulgarian lawmakers are reviewing proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act, addressing issues ranging from speed limits to drug testing protocols. The amendments come after months of debate and renewed focus on road safety following a recent fatal accident.
Municipal Powers expanded
Under the proposed amendments, municipal CCTV cameras would be used to monitor vehicle speeds. Mayors and municipal police officers would gain the authority to issue electronic tickets for traffic violations and to stop vehicles for identity and license verification.
Legislative Background
Six separate proposals are currently under consideration in parliament. The issue of road safety gained prominence after a 12-year-old was killed in a traffic accident. Several of the proposed changes had been stalled in parliamentary offices for months before being brought to the forefront.
Political Sponsorship
Various political factions, including GERB, PP-DB, and Vazrajdane, have submitted four proposals. The Council of Ministers has put forward two additional projects.A proposal from Kostadin Kostadinov’s party, which suggested expediting the sale of seized vehicles through public auction or allocating them to state organizations, was not accepted.
Speed Limit Adjustments
Government-backed changes include reducing the maximum highway speed from 140 km/h to 130 km/h (approximately 87 mph to 81 mph) and limiting speeds on other roads from 120 km/h to 110 km/h (approximately 75 mph to 68 mph). Additionally, zones with a 30 km/h (approximately 19 mph) speed limit would be introduced in areas with high accident rates. The toll system’s cameras would also be used to detect average speeds.
Vehicle Category Definitions
One amendment aligns with a European Directive by defining vehicle categories, specifically wheeled tractors, which would be subject to the same roadside control checks as trucks.
Provisional Driver’s Licenses
The government’s proposal includes the possibility of issuing driver’s licenses to 17-year-olds. Though, those drivers would be required to drive with supervision until they reach the age of majority.
Streamlined Fine Payments and electronic Records
Changes proposed by Bozhidar Bozhanov and other members of PP-DB aim to remove stickers from car windshields, replacing them with automated reports in centralized registers. The amendments also seek to allow online fine payments, eliminating the need for in-person service. Control bodies would be authorized to issue electronic tickets and penalties to drivers with more than five unpaid violations.
Addressing False Positive Drug Tests
Yavor Bozhankov, along with colleagues from PP-DB, GERB, and BSP – United Left, highlighted the issue of false positive drug tests. They advocate for limiting negative consequences for drivers before guilt is definitively established. Their proposal calls for a 72-hour review period if a driver undergoes a medical examination and provides samples for laboratory testing to detect drug use.
Bulgarian Road Traffic Act Amendments: Your Questions Answered
Are you curious about the proposed changes to Bulgaria’s Road Traffic Act? Here’s a breakdown of the key amendments being considered, presented in an easy-to-understand Q&A format.
What’s happening with the Bulgarian Road Traffic Act?
Bulgarian lawmakers are currently reviewing proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act.These amendments cover a range of issues, from speed limits to drug testing protocols, following months of debate and a recent fatal accident, highlighting the renewed focus on road safety.
What are the main proposed changes?
The proposed amendments touch on several key areas:
Expanded Municipal Powers: Allowing municipal authorities to use CCTV cameras for speed monitoring and issue electronic tickets.
Speed Limit Adjustments: Potential reductions in speed limits on highways and other roads, and the introduction of 30 km/h zones in high-accident areas.
Vehicle Category Definitions: Aligning with European directives by defining vehicle categories for things like wheeled tractors.
Provisional Driver’s Licenses: The potential for 17-year-olds to obtain driver’s licenses under supervision.
Streamlined Processes: Introducing online fine payments and electronic records.
Addressing False Positive Drug Tests: Providing protections for drivers who may have false positive drug test results.
How will the changes effect municipal powers?
Under the proposed amendments, municipal authorities will gain increased powers in traffic enforcement. Specifically:
CCTV Monitoring: Municipal CCTV cameras will be used to monitor vehicle speeds.
Electronic Ticketing: Mayors and municipal police officers will have the authority to issue electronic tickets for traffic violations.
Vehicle Stops: Authority to stop vehicles for identity and license verification purposes.
What are the proposed speed limit adjustments?
One of the most meaningful changes involves speed limits on Bulgarian roads. As per government-backed changes:
highways: The maximum highway speed may be reduced from 140 km/h (approximately 87 mph) to 130 km/h (approximately 81 mph).
Other Roads: Speed limits on other roads may be reduced from 120 km/h (approximately 75 mph) to 110 km/h (approximately 68 mph).
30 km/h Zones: Zones with a 30 km/h (approximately 19 mph) speed limit would be introduced in areas with high accident rates.
average Speed Detection: Toll system cameras will be used to detect average speeds.
Will 17-year-olds be able to get driver’s licenses?
The government’s proposal includes the possibility of issuing driver’s licenses to 17-year-olds. However, these drivers would be required to drive with supervision until they reach the age of majority.
How will fines and records be handled differently?
Several changes are proposed to streamline fine payments and record-keeping:
Elimination of Windshield Stickers: Changes aim to remove physical stickers, replacing them with automated reports in centralized registers.
Online Payments: Online fine payments will be allowed, eliminating the need for in-person service.
Electronic Ticketing for Repeat Offenders: Control bodies will be authorized to issue electronic tickets and penalties to drivers with more than five unpaid violations.
What is being done about false positive drug tests?
Lawmakers are addressing the issue of false positive drug tests. The proposal calls for a 72-hour review period in cases where a driver undergoes a medical examination and provides samples for laboratory testing. This aims to limit negative consequences for drivers before guilt is definitively established.
Which political parties are involved in these proposals?
Various political factions have submitted proposals. Key parties involved include:
GERB
PP-DB
Vazrajdane
Council of Ministers (submitted proposals)
A proposal from Kostadin Kostadinov’s party, suggesting the expedited sale of seized vehicles, was not accepted.
Can you summarize the key changes?
Here’s a quick summary of the main proposed amendments:
| Amendment | description |
| :———————————- | :———————————————————————————————————– |
| Expanded Municipal Powers | CCTV monitoring, electronic ticketing, vehicle stops |
| Speed Limit Adjustments | Reduced speed limits on highways and other roads; introduction of 30 km/h zones |
| Vehicle Category Definitions | Alignment with European Directive for vehicle categorization (e.g., wheeled tractors) |
| Provisional Driver’s Licenses | Allowing 17-year-olds to obtain licenses with supervision |
| Streamlined Fine Payments/Records | Online payments, electronic records, enforcement for unpaid violations |
| Addressing False Positive Drug Tests | 72-hour review period for drivers with medical examinations |
Where can I find more facts about these amendments?
unfortunately, the provided text does not give external sources to retrieve more information about these amendments.