Operation "Winter": Increased Road Checks and Winter Tires

The "Road Police" department of the General Directorate "National Police" (GDNP) announced the beginning of the annual "Winter" Action, a signal that heralds increased checks and tightening of control on the roads throughout the country. The event, which takes place every year, aims to increase road safety during the winter season, when conditions are often treacherous and require increased attention from all road users.

From November 15th to March 1st, drivers of motor vehicles are required to be equipped with winter tires, a measure which is of key importance for ensuring the grip of cars on snowy and icy roads. The action will cover the whole country, and control will be intensified across the board.

The "Winter" Action will be held in three ten-day periods, each of which will focus on different aspects of road safety. Commissioner Maria Boteva, Deputy Director of the "Road Police" department at the GDNP, emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the rules. "At all times, any road offender will be subject to punishment," she said, which shows the police's determination to enforce discipline among drivers.

From November 1st to 10th, the focus will be on the safety of all road users, including drivers of motor vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and individual electric vehicles. For the latter category, Commissioner Boteva reminded about the recently adopted changes in the legislation. According to these changes, the use of electric vehicles during the dark part of the day is prohibited, as well as transporting more than one person. Drivers must be over 16 years old and must wear a helmet.

In the period from November 10th to 20th, the second phase of the action will focus on pedestrians, vulnerable road users whose safety is often under threat. Commissioner Boteva noted that "we often witness how pedestrians endanger the lives of other road users". This part of the action aims to remind pedestrians of the need for increased attention and compliance with the rules when crossing streets and roads.

The third ten-day period will be dedicated to controlling car drivers and their compliance with the Road Traffic Act. From November 15th, the use of winter tires becomes mandatory. Commissioner Boteva emphasized that the tires must be in good condition, without wear and with a minimum tread depth of no less than four millimeters, to ensure optimal grip and safety on the road.

Ivo Katsarov, Chief Secretary of the State Agency "Road Safety", stressed the importance of personal responsibility. "Our personal carelessness and irresponsibility are the reason we fall into bad situations during the winter," he said, urging drivers to take the necessary preparation measures before the onset of the winter season. Katsarov recommended that drivers avoid travel in bad weather, keep a distance, drive at a reduced speed and make sure that their cars are well prepared for winter conditions.

Emil Panchev, director of the Union of Bulgarian Motorists, addressed young drivers, urging them to pay increased attention, given the increased number of accidents with drivers with less than two years of experience behind the wheel. This emphasizes the need for additional vigilance and caution among inexperienced drivers.

Dr. Nadezhda Todorovska from the Bulgarian Red Cross called on all road users to prepare in advance, emphasizing the need to check the first aid kit in the car. "We are all on the road and we see what happens when a person is not careful and unprepared. If we are well prepared now, when winter comes, we will not be surprised," she said. Dr. Todorovska warned about the quality of first aid kits offered in the retail network, advising people to make sure that their first aid kits are well stocked with the necessary supplies.