An inspection of the ill-fated Sozopol-Chernomorets section, where three boys died yesterday when they hit a tree, has begun. It was ordered by the Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadzhov.
It will be checked how the 18-year-old driver was trained and whether all the rules were followed during the exam of the 18-year-old driver, who received his license hours before the serious accident.
The "Automobile Administration" announced that the driver's driving course ended on July 11, 2025 – day before the mandatory digitalization of driver's license training comes into force. This means that there is no electronic data for his training to track routes and digitally record driving hours, and they are recorded on the student's paper card.
“He was a young, smart boy, he trained well. He must have made a mistake. When you see the scene of the accident, I think the speed was at least 180 km/h, maybe 200. With 50 years of experience, if I drive at 200 km/h, I won't be able to handle it either”, instructor Nikolay Kiryakov told Nova TV.
The inspection today was attended by the executive director of IAAA Slav Monov, representatives of the media and industry organizations. All available documentation for the course and video recordings of the theory and practical exams are being checked.
In cases like this, only the paper records kept by the school are relied upon, Slav Monov said. According to the established facts, the course began on May 27, 2025, and ended on July 11, 2025. The theory exam was successfully passed on August 25, and the practical part - on September 23.
He recalled that from July 12, 2025, all driving schools are required to conduct training entirely digitally with accurate reporting of each practical hour and tracking of the route. “This system eliminates the possibility of manipulation“, Monov pointed out.
The Executive Director appealed to young drivers, as well as all drivers, to respect the restrictions and to realize the responsibility they take behind the wheel. “Training provides a foundation, but behavior on the road is a personal choice. You saw - speed kills“, Monov also stated.
IA “Automobile Administration“ will provide full assistance to the competent authorities. The results of the inspection will be announced publicly after its completion, the Ministry of Transport announced.