Interior Ministry: Cameras will be visible, when investigating accidents we will also analyze the road (Review)

The Bulgarian Ministry of Interior has announced new measures aimed at improving road safety following a series of recent traffic accidents involving heavy trucks. These initiatives include increased visibility of speed cameras as a preventive measure and more thorough investigations into the conditions of roads and infrastructure after serious incidents. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kaloian Kaloynov outlined these plans during the National Day of Road Safety on Monday, which was marked with public demonstrations and educational activities in Sofia.

Kaloynov emphasized that the ministry had conducted an analysis of practices in other countries where fewer fatalities occur due to traffic accidents. In those nations, police account for about 20-30% of the responsibility, while other institutions play significant roles in ensuring road safety. Preventive efforts begin even before children reach school age, highlighting the importance of early education on safe driving habits.

One of the key strategies involves reviewing the fines imposed by the police to determine how effectively they have been used to deter unsafe behavior. The visibility of cameras is intended to create a deterrent effect rather than merely accumulating penalties. Additionally, when investigating fatal or injurious accidents, authorities will examine the condition of roadside barriers, billboards, trees, and shrubs that could contribute to such incidents. This approach aims to identify all potential factors that might lead to accidents.

In response to concerns raised by Interior Minister Ivan Demerjiyev last week regarding the tragic accident on the "Tракия" highway, where a truck crashed through barriers and killed two children and their father, an investigation into the companies responsible for maintaining the barriers is underway. The minister mentioned that there were connections to former Prime Ministers behind the firms selected for contracts, but he stated that further information would be shared once the investigation concludes.

The Ministry of Interior has already sent 1,500 letters to property owners managed by the State Road Infrastructure Agency (APИ) and local municipalities in June alone, requesting them to address issues related to road conditions within two months. Potential inspections of Turkish trucking companies are also being considered, prompted by an incident in Sofia where a truck was found traveling at 90 km/h despite having two broken airbags and a loose rear trailer secured with straps. The driver was caught by the State Directorate for Road Safety (SDVR) and was transporting flammable goods without proper authorization. He had traveled from Belgium intending to go to Turkey via Kapitan Andreevo but had swapped his tachograph with another driver in Plovdiv. Hours later, a Romanian truck and a car registered in Turkey collided near Mokren and Gradec in Sliven Province, resulting in one death and three injuries.

On Monday, Kaloynov and Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Lyubomir Nikolev participated in the National Day of Road Safety organized by the State Agency for Road Safety. Events took place on Saint Nedelya Square in Sofia, featuring various demonstrations aimed at both adults and children. One demonstration showed the effects of seat belts during sudden stops at low speeds, while another demonstrated how emergency responders extract individuals from vehicles involved in severe crashes.

The focus on emotional intelligence on the road highlights the need for drivers to recognize their emotions, exercise self-control, tolerance, empathy towards other road users, and respect for laws. This theme underscores the broader initiative to promote safer driving behaviors among all road users.

Recent weeks have seen several serious traffic accidents across Bulgaria. On June 25, a 17-year-old boy from Mездra and his 16-year-old girlfriend from Zgorigrad died in a collision. Earlier in the week, three people, including two nine-year-old boys, lost their lives in an accident on the "Tракия" highway when a truck crashed through a barrier and hit a passenger vehicle. Another incident occurred near Malo Buchino, where a truck entered the opposite lane after passing through a barrier and collided with a car, though no one was killed. On June 17, two people died in a crash between a car and a truck near the villages of Cherni Mesta and Avramovo.

These incidents have prompted calls for greater accountability and improved infrastructure management. The protests held in front of courts nationwide by the "Angels of the Road" association highlight ongoing frustrations over institutional inaction and the loss of young lives on Bulgarian roads. According to data from the Ministry of Interior, 218 people have died in traffic accidents so far this year, representing a 35-person increase compared to the same period in 2025. There have been 2,966 recorded accidents, with 3,673 people injured.

As the government continues its efforts to enhance road safety, the upcoming months will likely see intensified scrutiny of both driver conduct and infrastructure maintenance. With the implementation of these new policies, the hope is that the number of traffic-related fatalities can be significantly reduced, creating a safer environment for all road users.