Bulgaria to reform road safety through agency restructuring and digitalization

Bulgaria is implementing a major road safety reform aimed at reducing traffic accidents and fatalities through institutional restructuring and digitalization. The plan, approved by the Council of Ministers, seeks to eliminate fragmented responsibilities and overlapping functions between agencies.

A key component involves transferring road control functions from the Road Infrastructure Agency (DAI) to the Ministry of Interior (MVR). This shift includes a reduction of approximately 200 positions (about 28% of staff) within the toll system and DAI. The reform is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027 and will proceed in four stages: legislative, structural, digitalization, and implementation.

Technological upgrades include the introduction of electronic fines, an “electronic evidentiary record” for faster payments, and the use of the toll system to detect violations. Data from cameras and sensors will be integrated into a high-tech information core managed by the Ministry of Transport. Additionally, electronic boards will be installed to provide real-time information on traffic, accidents, and weather conditions. Minister of Transport Georgi Peev noted that the reform relies on restructuring existing resources rather than creating new large-scale structures, aiming for a cumulative optimization of 28% in staffing efficiency.