site.btaTraffic Police: Traffic Accidents Surge in 2024 with Over 5,600 Crashes, Fewer Fatalities, but Rising Injuries

Since the start of the year through October 13, a total of 5,665 road accidents have occurred nationwide, leading to 356 fatalities and 7,136 injuries, Maria Boteva, Deputy Head of Traffic Police in the General Directorate National Police, said during a briefing on Monday.  She noted that compared to the same period in 2023, there have been 840 more accidents this year, with ten fewer fatalities and 802 more injuries.

A total of 147 road traffic accidents occurred across the country from October 7 to October 13. These incidents resulted in nine fatalities and 183 injuries. This year there have been 22 more accidents, compared to the previous year, Boteva said.

The Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior recorded the highest number of traffic accidents with 21 incidents. The Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Varna (on the Black Sea) reported 16 accidents, while Ruse (on the Danube) reported 11.

Two fatalities occurred in Sofia and Montana (Northwestern Bulgaria) during the past week. Additionally, one person died in traffic accidents in Vidin (on the Danube), Vratsa (Northwestern Bulgaria), Lovech (Northern Bulgaria), Sliven (Southeastern Bulgaria), and Sofia Region.

Boteva said drivers of motor vehicles are the most frequent offenders. Out of 147 accidents, 130 were caused by drivers.

The main traffic violations last week included speeding, failure to yield, and improper manoeuvres. Among the casualties, five drivers lost their lives, and 111 were injured. One passenger died, 40 were injured, and two pedestrians were killed. Additionally, one child died, and 32 were injured.

Between October 7 and 13, authorities detected 127 drivers with blood alcohol levels between 0.5 and 1.2 per mille, 83 with levels above 1.2 per mille, and 22 who refused testing. There were 100 drivers under the influence of drugs, while 40 declined testing. 83 drivers were caught operating vehicles after their licenses were revoked, Boteva said.

In total, authorities issued 6,846 administrative violation notices, 4,125 penalty decrees, 27,604 tickets, 37,628 electronic tickets, 1,065 compulsory administrative measures, and 216 electronic tickets for lack of third-party liability insurance.

Boteva noted that last week saw an exceptionally high number of injuries involving two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles. "I urge all parents to monitor their children's behaviour, the people they interact with, and the vehicles they use to return home. A fine cannot bring back a human life," she said.