The Road Safety Institute conducted a survey that reveals worrying trends in road safety management in Bulgaria. The survey conducted between 10 and 30 September among 192 people in Northwest Bulgaria, highlights the importance of technical means of control (cameras) on road traffic. The high-risk areas identified by the Institute – Ruse, Lovech, Montana and Varna – stand out as having a significantly higher probability of serious traffic accidents.
The survey results show that 86% of participants believe that government policy is overly focused on police control and fines, rather than emphasizing effective management and maintenance of road infrastructure. This strategy creates the impression that road safety is primarily used for revenue generation, rather than as a measure to reduce incidents and improve conditions for safe travel.
The survey also highlights significant shortcomings in infrastructure management, indicating that a large proportion of citizens believe that the road safety system does not meet modern mobility needs. Despite the increasing traffic from foreign vehicles in the country, Bulgaria continues to focus on penalties rather than investing in improvements to the road network and safety.
Researchers from the Road Safety Institute are pushing for serious reforms that prioritize the public interest. They argue that the system needs to shift from imposing penalties to implementing genuine measures for improving infrastructure and safety. Only with such an approach can the country achieve greater efficiency in mobility and a significant reduction in road incidents.
On 23 October, the Road Safety Institute, together with Ruse Municipality, will hold a forum „Connectivity 2025: in the framework of safe mobility“ to address these important issues and propose solutions for the future of road safety in Bulgaria.
