Stricter laws and stricter monitoring of highways could certainly help, but this could only solve part of the big problem of road safety. This was stated in the program “This Saturday“ by former Interior Minister and law professor Professor Vesselin Vuchkov. According to him, an undeclared civil war is being fought on the roads in Bulgaria.
“This is a lack of legal awareness among citizens. This topic is so sensitive for people that more serious measures really need to be taken. I am not very sure that reducing the speed on highways would solve the big problem“, said Prof. Vuchkov.
According to him, the things that need to be taken are in relation to the road infrastructure.
„It seems to me that the biggest factor for a serious increase in road accidents – this is our extremely poor infrastructure. Potholes, lack of markings, lack of signs – this is the main factor“, he specified.
„Everything that has been happening in recent days, such as changes in laws, is a good wish. It will take several months or at least two years to see what the result of this will be. These are a complex of measures. The self-serving drastic increase in penalties also does not mean that we will change the situation. We are increasing the penalties, but in fact they are not being implemented, they are not being handed out to road violators in a timely manner“, said Veselin Vuchkov.
“In principle, I support all the ideas that have been launched in recent days, although a little under the pressure of events. But we must be very careful not to open wide opportunities for corrupt practices on the road. This is very important. When the policeman who stops you, especially if there is no video camera surveillance, at the same time sanctions and carries out the punishment - this is a very powerful incentive for corrupt behavior. We have seen it in the past, now it has not been eradicated“, he added.