SOFIA, April 14, 2025 — Bulgaria is set to reduce the maximum legal speed for category B vehicles on highways from 140 km/h to 130 km/h, as part of a broader effort to improve road safety.
The change, adopted at first reading by the parliamentary transport committee, is among several urgent reforms proposed in response to a tragic accident that claimed the life of a young girl named Siana.
The legislative package includes six drafts that aim to modernize traffic law enforcement, introduce new safety measures, and expand the use of digital technologies for more effective control.
A key component of the proposed amendments is the introduction of average speed monitoring within the country’s existing toll system. Photo and video evidence of violations will be automatically submitted to the Ministry of Interior for penalty issuance.
Authorities argue that the current speed limit of 140 km/h, which Bulgaria shares only with Poland, is too high compared to most European standards.
The proposed reduction to 130 km/h is expected to bring the country in line with neighboring EU nations and, when combined with enhanced monitoring, could lead to significant reductions in road fatalities.
The draft legislation, initially introduced by the Council of Ministers, also proposes the designation of 30 km/h “safety zones” in urban areas, particularly around schools and residential neighborhoods.
This measure is aimed at improving pedestrian safety and reducing the severity of traffic incidents in densely populated zones.
Another significant reform includes requiring 17-year-old drivers operating category B vehicles to be accompanied by an adult.
This move is intended to ensure that inexperienced drivers are given proper guidance during their initial months on the road. Municipalities are also set to gain expanded authority under the new rules.
A proposal backed by GERB lawmakers and the National Association of Municipalities will allow local governments to issue fines based on video surveillance, and to integrate the enforcement process with other administrative services. This aims to streamline compliance and boost enforcement capacity within cities.
MP Bozhidar Bozhanov has introduced proposals to automate the penalty process entirely, eliminating the need for human intervention. He also calls for a fully digital vehicle registration system, automatic reminders for document renewals, and the removal of unnecessary vehicle stickers.
In a separate but related measure, the nationalist Vazrazhdane party has suggested that the National Revenue Agency be granted greater powers to dispose of vehicles seized from intoxicated drivers. Currently, such vehicles often sit unused for years due to bureaucratic delays, straining the agency’s resources.
Some of the more controversial proposals include MP Yavor Bozhankov’s call for more lenient handling of drug-related driving offenses. Citing the limitations of roadside drug tests, he proposes that license revocations be temporary unless confirmed by further analysis.
Meanwhile, the Road Infrastructure Agency has launched a safety improvement project on the dangerous I-4 road near Bulgarian Spring. A 62-kilometer stretch between Koritna and Malinovo in the Lovech region will be fitted with over 2,300 flexible bollards to improve traffic separation and reduce collisions.
The transport committee is expected to revise and finalize the legislation in the coming weeks before a second reading in Parliament.