An unusual theft has stirred up the spirits in the village of Rebarkovo, Vratsa region. Unknown perpetrators have stolen the so-called "speeding policeman", installed on the main road in the settlement. The device was installed in August last year in order to limit the high speed of cars passing through the village.
"The speeding policeman was installed on August 1 last year, there are two in total on this road, and the goal is to reduce speed and prevent accidents because there are many pedestrians," the mayor of the village, Miroslav Tsvetkov, told bTV.
According to local residents, the theft was probably committed at night, when there is no traffic on the road. The increased traffic in the area is related to the ongoing repair work on the Mezdra - Botevgrad expressway, which has been going on for years, forcing many cars to pass through the settlement.
Residents of Rebarkovo express concerns that the removal of the artificial unevenness will lead to an increase in the speed of passing cars and will endanger the safety of pedestrians. They insist that the facility be restored as soon as possible.
The municipal authorities have informed the police about the case. This is not the first such case of encroachment on road infrastructure in the region - over the years, residents of Rebarkovo have repeatedly complained about missing road signs and plates.
The competent authorities are investigating the theft. According to experts, artificial bumps (so-called speed bumps) installed on the roadway are devices made of recycled rubber, which can have significant value depending on the size and material.
According to road safety specialists, the installation of artificial bumps is one of the most effective measures for reducing speed in small settlements where traffic police control is sporadic. Studies show that "speed bumps" can reduce the average speed of passing cars by 30-40%, which significantly increases safety for pedestrians.
The "Road Infrastructure" Agency reminds that encroachments on such devices constitute a crime and are subject to criminal liability.