# North Macedonia Safe City expands, targets foreign drivers > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-safe-city-traffic-system-rollout > Updated: 2026-08-24T07:43:04.000Z. Sources: 57. Developments: 21. The Safe City traffic-monitoring system, launched 1 Feb 2026, continues to expand. By late July, the system was fully operational on the highway segment between Gorenci and Trebenista in Debarca, detecting speeding, red-light running, and expired registrations. In July 2026, police reported 20,976 issued fines and 496 driver detentions. As of 19 August 2026, enforcement against foreign-registered vehicles commenced at the Tabanovce border crossing. By late August, the system had recorded over 310,000 violations, with a significant portion involving foreign vehicles. Between 2 February and 20 August 2026, the system recorded 310,865 violations, of which 301,835 were speeding incidents. Approximately 58 percent of these—180,378 cases—involved foreign-registered vehicles. To manage enforcement, authorities utilize license plate recognition at the Tabanovce (Serbia-North Macedonia) and Bogorodica (North Macedonia-Greece) checkpoints. Drivers are required to settle outstanding debts on-site before exiting, though a ‘Safe City’ web and mobile application allows for electronic credit card payments to prevent delays. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported by 24 August that traffic flow at Tabanovce was proceeding ‘without interruption’ due to these digital tools. However, the system’s strict enforcement has led to legal complications. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning after a Polish driver was detained at Tabanovce for driving 164 km/h in an 80 km/h zone; because the speed exceeded the threshold for criminal negligence, the driver faced potential criminal charges, including imprisonment and a driving ban, rather than a simple fine. ## Claims - The Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia reported a recent surge in phishing attacks via SMS, email, websites, mobile apps and social media. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The fraudulent messages claim to be issued by the Department for Motor Vehicles' 'Safe City' system. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The messages contain a fake link formatted as https://safecountry.mvr.gov.mk. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Recipients are urged to pay an alleged traffic violation through the fake link. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Ministry advises citizens not to open suspicious links, not to share personal data, verify sender addresses, use two‑factor authentication and report suspicious messages. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Computer Crime sector of the Ministry continues active investigations and measures to detect and sanction the perpetrators. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Ministry of Internal Affairs observed an increase in phishing attacks in the recent period. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Phishing messages impersonate the Department of Motor Vehicles and are presented as notifications from the 'Safe City' system. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The fraudulent messages contain a link that directs citizens to pay for a fictitious traffic violation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Official SMS notifications for traffic violations must be sent by the sender code 'MVR‑SC'. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The SMS text must include the vehicle registration plate and a link in the format https://safecountry.mvr.gov.mk. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Cybercrime Unit of the Ministry is actively investigating and taking measures to identify and punish the perpetrators. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Tabanovce border traffic remains fluid via new digital fine system North Macedonia's Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched the ‘Safe City’ app to allow foreign drivers to pay traffic fines electronically, preventing delays at the Tabanovce border crossing. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tabanovce-border-traffic-remains-fluid-via-new-digital-fine-system ### 2026-08-24: Travelers face border issues with damaged IDs and strict surveillance Travelers face risks from damaged identification and strict automated surveillance, including a Polish driver detained in North Macedonia for high-speed offenses caught by cameras. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/travelers-face-border-issues-with-damaged-ids-and-strict-surveillance ### 2026-08-19: Tabanovce border crossing faces delays due to new traffic fine enforcement North Macedonia's ‘Safe City’ camera system is causing major delays at the Tabanovce border as foreign drivers are intercepted to pay traffic fines before exiting the country. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-begins-fining-foreign-drivers-at-tabanovce-border ### 2026-08-19: Ministry of Internal Affairs warns of phishing scams The Ministry of Internal Affairs warns of rising phishing attacks using fake ‘Safe City’ messages to trick citizens into paying fraudulent traffic fines via malicious links. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ministry-of-internal-affairs-warns-of-phishing-scams-impersonating-traffic-authorities ### 2026-08-11: Law enforcement warns of phishing scams targeting traffic fine payments Police in North Macedonia, Croatia, and Albania warn of phishing scams using fake traffic fine notifications from the ‘Safe City’ system to steal personal and banking data. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ministry-of-internal-affairs-warns-of-safe-city-phishing-scams ### 2026-08-03: Macedonia logs 20,976 traffic violations in July, 496 drivers detained Macedonia recorded 20,976 traffic violations in July 2026, detaining 496 drivers and seizing 332 vehicles; numerous fines were issued for speeding, alcohol, lack of licence, and safety equipment violations. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonia-logs-20976-traffic-violations-in-july-496-drivers-detained ### 2026-07-30: Macedonia activates 'Safe City' traffic cameras in Debarca and Ohrid Macedonia's police have activated the 'Safe City' traffic camera system on the Gorenci‑Trebenista highway in Debarca and are finalizing cameras near Ohrid to monitor speeding, red‑light runs and expired‑plate违规 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonia-activates-safe-city-traffic-cameras-in-debarca-and-ohrid ### 2026-07-28: Macedonian police warn of phishing scams posing as Safe City traffic notices Macedonia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs warns of phishing scams using fake ‘Safe City’ traffic notices, urging citizens to verify messages from “MVR‑SC”, avoid clicking links and not share personal data. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonias-interior-ministry-warns-citizens-of-phishing-scams-posing-as-safe-city-alerts ### 2026-07-19: North Macedonia police detain 10 unlicensed drivers, including two minors North Macedonian police detained 10 people for driving without licences, including two minors in Mercedes, after nationwide traffic checks; vehicles were seized and charges pending. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-police-detain-10-unlicensed-drivers-including-two-minors ### 2026-07-14: North Macedonia upgrades road safety with EU vehicle donation and new intelligent transport system laws North Macedonia's transport minister Aleksandar Nikoloski announced law changes to install intelligent transport systems on highways and an EU donation of 18 patrol vehicles to boost road safety. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-upgrades-road-safety-with-eu-vehicle-donation-and-new-intelligent-transport-system-l ### 2026-07-11: Republika Srpska and Macedonia police log hundreds of serious traffic violations Police in Republika Srpska and Macedonia recorded hundreds of serious traffic violations after new, stricter road‑safety laws were applied. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/republika-srpska-and-macedonia-police-log-hundreds-of-serious-traffic-violations ### 2026-07-10: Safe City traffic monitoring system launched in Debar, North Macedonia North Macedonia deploys the Safe City traffic system in Debar, installing cameras and mobile units to cut speeding and accidents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/safe-city-traffic-monitoring-system-launched-in-debar-north-macedonia ### 2026-07-07: North Macedonia expands Safe City traffic camera enforcement on corridors to Greece North Macedonia's Safe City camera system now monitors speed and other violations on corridors to Greece, sending real‑time data to police who can stop foreign vehicles and issue fines. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-deploys-radarequipped-police-cars-on-corridors-8-and-10 ### 2026-07-04: North Macedonia to fine foreign-registered vehicles for traffic violations Macedonia’s “City of Safety” system logged 130k traffic violations, mainly speeding, and will soon fine foreign‑registered drivers at border crossings via SMS/app. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-reports-low-border-wait-times-and-prepares-fines-for-foreignregistered-drivers ### 2026-07-01: North Macedonia's Safe City system targets foreign‑plate vehicles North Macedonia's Safe City cameras now fine any driver, domestic or foreign, for traffic violations, as part of a new joint border safety initiative with Serbia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonias-safe-city-system-targets-foreignplate-vehicles ### 2026-06-29: Macedonia's 'Safe City' system reduces traffic fatalities by 40% Macedonia's 'Safe City' traffic system, launched in December, cut daily violations by about 50% and reduced road deaths by 40% in its first five months, from 55 to 33 fatalities. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonias-safe-city-traffic-program-reduces-road-deaths-by-40 ### 2026-06-29: Macedonia's 'Safe City' programme cuts traffic deaths by 40% in five months Macedonia's 'Safe City' traffic safety system cut road deaths by 40% in five months, with daily violations falling to 500‑600 and further expansion planned. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonias-safe-city-programme-cuts-traffic-deaths-by-40-in-five-months ### 2026-06-27: North Macedonia's Safe City system cuts traffic accidents by 40% North Macedonia’s Safe City cameras logged 120,000 violations in five months, cut traffic deaths by 40% and helped seize 6.2 t of drugs while dismantling dozens of crime groups, Minister Pançe Toshkovski said. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonias-safe-city-system-cuts-traffic-accidents-by-40 ### 2026-06-27: Macedonia's 'Safe City' system logs 120,000 traffic violations and cuts road deaths by 40% Macedonia's 'Safe City' traffic monitoring system logged over 120,000 violations in its first five months, mainly speeding, and reduced road deaths by about 40 %. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonias-safe-city-system-logs-120000-traffic-violations-and-cuts-road-deaths-by-40 ### 2026-06-25: Ohri Police Deploy “Safe City” Traffic Monitoring System Ohri’s traffic police started a phased rollout of the “Safe City” monitoring system on 25 June 2026, activating highway cameras near Novo Sella and planning expansion to nearby roads, aiming to reduce accidents 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohri-police-deploy-safe-city-traffic-monitoring-system ### 2026-06-25: Ohrid, North Macedonia Implements Safe City Traffic Surveillance System Ohrid traffic police in North Macedonia have begun deploying the Safe City system, installing cameras on the Novo Selo highway post and planning expansion to nearby routes; the devices are still in testing and, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohrid-north-macedonia-implements-safe-city-traffic-surveillance-system --- Cite as: North Macedonia Safe City expands, targets foreign drivers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-safe-city-traffic-system-rollout