Bulgaria Faces Calls for Stricter Speeding Penalties Following Road Safety Concerns
Sofia, Bulgaria – Growing concerns over road safety in Bulgaria are fueling debate over the country’s lenient speeding penalties, particularly in comparison to other European nations.Road safety experts assert that exceeding the speed limit, even by 20 km/h, significantly increases the risk of fatal accidents. However, current Bulgarian law imposes fines as low as 50 BGN (approximately €25) for speeding, a sum some lawmakers argue is insufficient to deter reckless driving.
Currently, drivers in Bulgaria face license suspension for only 2-3 months for exceeding the speed limit by over 50 km/h. This contrasts sharply with countries like France, were fines for speeding can reach €3750, coupled with vehicle confiscation and a three-year license suspension. Italy imposes fines up to €3389 for exceeding 60 km/h, with a one-year license suspension.
Sweden, consistently ranked among the safest countries for road travel with 20 road fatalities annually-20 times fewer than Bulgaria-punishes exceeding the speed limit by over 40 km/h with fines of €4000, and in severe cases, imprisonment.
The implementation of average speed control systems across Bulgaria’s 11 designated sections has also drawn criticism. While the systems are registering offenders, no fines have been issued to date. Critics point out that drivers are utilizing smartphone applications to detect these zones and adjust thier speed accordingly, only to accelerate again once clear.
The comparatively low penalties in Bulgaria – a €300 maximum fine, or approximately €10 for exceeding by 10 km/h - are prompting calls for reform to align with european standards and improve road safety.
