site.btaPedestrians Won't Be At Fault in Accidents at Marked Crossings

Pedestrians Won't Be At Fault in Accidents at Marked Crossings

Sofia, January 13 (BTA) - Voting conclusively changes to the Road Traffic Act on Friday, MPs decided that pedestrians won't be held responsible for causing an accident after stepping on a pedestrian crossing without due care.

In accidents at marked zebra crossing when a driver has been speeding or has committed a traffic offence which is related to the accident, the pedestrian is not considered liable. The latest amendment was tabled by Nelly Petrova MP of GERB. It was voted 79 for and three abstentions.

In view of the number of acquitted motorists who were speeding, driving under the influence or without a driving licence, Petrova urged the MPs to adopt measures and end the war on the roads.

In late 2016, the Supreme Court of Cassation gave an interpretative judgement that pedestrians run over at a zebra crossing will be guilty of causing an accident if they step out on the road without due care, do not assess the speed of oncoming cars, or cross the street in poor visibility. The pedestrian was to blame even when the driver is speeding.