site.btaRevised Penal Code Stiffens Penalties for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving

Bulgaria's Parliament passed conclusively amendments to the Penal Code stiffening penalties for dangerous drivers who cause death. The revisions were adopted late Friday night after a more than eight hours' long debate.

When death ensues from careless operation of a motor vehicle, the driver will face between three and eight years' imprisonment and, in especially serious cases, between five and twelve years, the legislature resolved. The penal sanction so far was a custodial sentence ranging from two to six years and, in particularly serious cases, from three to ten years. 

If the act is committed under the influence of drink or drugs or their analogues, or if the driver refuses to submit to a test for alcohol and/or drugs without medical excuse, or if multiple persons have been injured or killed, or in a hit-and-run situation, or if driving while disqualified, and if the act was committed after exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h in a built-up area or while violating a red light or on a pedestrian crossing, the penal sanction for causing death will be five to fifteen years in prison (up from a minimum sentence of three years so far) and, in particularly serious cases, imprisonment from 10 to 20 years (up from 5 to 20 years so far).

The court may order forfeiture to the Exchequer of the motor vehicle that served for the commission of the offence and is owned by the actor. Where the driver is not operating a vehicle of their own, the monetary equivalent of the vehicle may be awarded against the culprit on conviction, according to other provisions enacted by Parliament.