site.btaPM Denkov: Decision to Confiscate Vehicles for Driving under Influence Step in Right Direction

The National Assembly's decision to confiscate vehicles that have been used for alcohol or drug offenses is a step in the right direction, said Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said at the beginning of Wednesday's weekly government meeting.

"Recently, the term 'war on the roads' has gained widespread use", Denkov said, adding that unfortunately, Bulgaria is one of the leading countries in the number of people killed and injured on the road after accidents of such kind. 

"The government has therefore taken on the task of proposing and putting into effect new and tougher measures to reduce casualties and more serious accidents," Denkov said. 

He assured that the government will do everything possible to put the new measures into practice and reduce the risks of accidents. 

He stressed on the importance of shortening the time limit for obtaining results after blood sampling. "We are already organizing, together with the Ministry of the Interior and other institutions, the purchase of new equipment, the training of specialists and the organization of laboratories in the country", Denkov said, adding that the aim is to have these samples out as results within a week. "As of now, I say that this will take time, as new and expensive equipment has to be procured, and this is done with certain procedures," Denkov concluded.  

The Prime Minister announced that he had instructed Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, together with the Prosecution office, to look at the rules for implementing the measures as adopted in the law. "To make the best possible organization so that people who are innocent feel at ease", Denkov stressed and added that those who commit violations "should know that they will receive the appropriate punishments". 

The changes in the Criminal Code are already in force, according to which the vehicle is confiscated in case of the presence of drugs or the driver's blood alcohol concentration above 1.2 promille. And if the vehicle is not in the driver's possession at the time of the offense, its equivalent must be paid.