Four killed in Ruse‑Biala highway crash as Bulgaria reviews speed‑monitoring and toll policies

A severe collision between a truck and a minivan on the Ruse‑Biala road in Bulgaria left four occupants dead – a grandfather, grandmother, mother and a child – and injured several others. National Toll Authority director Prof. Oleg Asenov told bTV that driver fatigue or loss of concentration was the most likely cause, noting that speed‑monitoring alone cannot guarantee safety.

Asenov explained that two average‑speed control sections operate on the route, but only about 70% of the weighing stations are fully functional, with the rest still being certified. He said increased monitoring has already boosted toll revenues by over 12% despite a 6% drop in heavy‑vehicle traffic in June. From August, heavy‑vehicle tolls will rise by 30%, a measure he described as overdue after the last fee update almost a decade ago.

The director also highlighted ongoing infrastructure funding challenges, comparing Bulgaria’s toll system with practices in other European countries such as Germany, where fuel excise helps finance road maintenance.