Motorcycle Accidents in Bulgaria: The Number of Victims is Growing

From the beginning of the year, the road situation for motorcyclists has been darkened by alarming figures. Nearly 800 accidents with motorcycles have been reported by the authorities, representing a serious cause for concern. The statistics of the Ministry of Interior show that the victims of these accidents are approaching 50, and the injured exceed 500. This raises the question of the main causes leading to so many accidents with motorcyclists, as well as the effectiveness of road control.

At the end of the summer season, when the roads are usually more congested, the Ministry of Interior reports an increase in accidents involving motorcycle drivers in the country. Obviously, the problem remains relevant and requires urgent attention.

Georgi Barzakov, a road expert at the Association of Qualified Motorists, highlights factors that contribute to the high number of accidents: "The causes are high speed, as always, not adapted to road conditions, we see how on many the surface layer of the asphalt turns out to be such that it does not have enough good grip with the tire tread and thus skids the motorcycle".

The same expert emphasizes that deteriorated road conditions and high speed play a key role.

In addition, in recent years, motorcyclists have expressed dissatisfaction with the increasingly intolerant attitude of car drivers on the road. Georgi Barzakov comments on this trend: "They are almost an obstacle to cars when they pass between them, although this is allowed by law... when you combine all these things, you get some serious motorcycle accidents".

According to motorcyclists with many years of experience, the state should take stricter measures aimed at young motorcycle and ATV drivers.

Nikolai Yanchev from Motoclub - Blagoevgrad, expresses a categorical position: "No one can force these people in Bulgaria to put on a simple helmet. A helmet that will protect their life. Personally, my son was injured... without a helmet, but when there are some serious sanctions for not wearing a helmet, this will already be an absolute factor".

After the changes made to the Road Traffic Act, the penalty for motorcycle drivers who do not wear a protective helmet is a fine of 100 leva and the loss of 10 control points. However, both motorcyclists and experts believe that this fine should be increased to be more effective.