site.btaDriving in Motorway's Emergency Lane Now Penalized with BGN 1,000 Fine, Driving License Suspension for 3 Months

A fine of BGN 1,000 and a suspension of the driving license for three months is the penalty for driving in the emergency lane on motorways, Chief Inspector Vladislav Pavlikyanov, head of the Traffic Police sector at the Sofia Regional Directorate of Interior, told a news briefing on Saturday. He gave information regarding the imposition of fines based on data provided by the cameras of the National Toll Administration.

Earlier this week, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said that following amendments to the Road Traffic Act, toll cameras will begin monitoring vehicles driving in emergency lanes on motorways and tracking average speeds, with penalties issued for violations. National Toll Administration Director Oleg Asenov specified that driving in emergency lanes on motorways will incur penalties starting this weekend. 

Chief Inspector Pavlikyanov said that in case of a repeat offence, the penalty is a fine of BGN 4,000 and suspension of the driving license for six months. Emergency lanes can be used only in two cases: a health issue of the driver or a passengers, and technical failure that prevents the vehicle from continuing its movement, he recalled.

He specified that once traffic police receive the file from the toll cameras with the vehicle in violation, an ownership check is carried out. The responsibility for the violation is that of the owner or a designated user. Once the driver has been identified, a summons is served on them by the Ministry of Interior. Within two weeks, the person concerned must appear in order to have a statement of violation drawn up. In case of failure to appear, the statement  shall be drawn up in their absence and, again through the Interior Ministry, shall be delivered to the owner's address of residence. In case the owner indicates another was behind the wheel at the time of the violation, the procedure is the same.

According to Chief Inspector Pavlikyanov, the new penalties are already having a preventive effect on drivers. On Friday, ten ticket fines were issued to drivers using the emergency lane for overtaking in the area of Hemus Motorway's Topli Dol tunnel, and two drivers were sanctioned on Trakia Motorway.

Chief Inspector Pavlikyanov also said that the Sofia Regional Directorate of Interior has received 12 new speed control cameras, which will be deployed at specific hot spots. Control will continue to be exercised by law enforcement officers with unbranded vehicles in traffic.