Sofia, Bulgaria – In response to a tragic road incident that claimed the life of a child, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov convened a high-level meeting this week to confront the country’s persistent road safety issues.
The session, held with key ministers and officials, aimed to assess progress and introduce decisive measures to reduce traffic-related fatalities.
Zhelyazkov announced that an operational report, compiled by an interdepartmental group formed two months ago, will be reviewed at the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday.
The group was tasked with identifying dangerous road sections across the country, determining the authorities responsible, and allocating resources to address the most hazardous areas—particularly those under the jurisdiction of the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA).
“The locations deemed most dangerous will be made public so that citizens can monitor progress,” said Zhelyazkov, underlining the government’s commitment to transparency.
“This administration cannot be blamed for the failures of its predecessors, but it will fully accept responsibility for the actions it takes from this point forward.”
The Prime Minister also criticized the minimal progress made in maintaining roads under contracts signed back in 2022, vowing to name specific sites in need of intervention, set clear deadlines, and assign resources accordingly.
He pledged that civil society experts will be involved in the oversight process to ensure accountability and efficient use of public funds.
Among the upcoming initiatives is the implementation of speed monitoring via video surveillance, funded through the national toll system.
Zhelyazkov confirmed that concrete timelines for the rollout of this project have already been established, with the goal of significantly enhancing enforcement by mid-year.
At a subsequent operational meeting, Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov unveiled a detailed plan comprising 37 measures aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 20%.
These include fast-tracking the issuance of criminal orders against traffic offenders, imposing stricter safety regulations for the transportation of children and students, and deploying new technology that prevents drivers from starting their vehicles if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In a bid to expand enforcement capabilities, Karadjov also proposed the use of automated measurement systems operated by municipalities and other local authorities to detect violations and issue penalties.
Minister of Regional Development Ivan Ivanov addressed the broader infrastructure shortcomings that have exacerbated road safety risks, particularly the long-delayed Hemus Motorway and Botevgrad-Mezdra road projects. “Had these critical infrastructure projects been completed on time, the recent tragedy might have been averted,” Ivanov said.
He confirmed that work on the Hemus Motorway has now resumed and that urgent safety interventions are underway across 36 identified high-risk sections of the national road network.
The comprehensive strategy signals the government’s intent to take a more active role in reducing Bulgaria’s high rate of road accidents, which has long been a source of public frustration.
With increased transparency, technological upgrades, and firmer enforcement, the administration aims to create safer roads and restore public trust.