A video clip with NSO cars moving at high speed and in the oncoming lane on a country road went viral on Tuesday afternoon on social networks. The footage was filmed by a car moving against the special traffic regime cars. One of them even gives a light signal to the driver on the other side, who is forced to enter the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision with the motorcade.
„One of the risky situations in NSO is usually driving on single-lane roads. In this case, they must have been in a hurry, but I personally would not excuse them for this clip. Yes, there are protocols, there are schedules, but there are also dangers. And they are always two-way – they are never one-way. There is danger for both travelers and these drivers. They have a special traffic regime, which means that they can violate the rules, but without endangering safety. However, in the event of an accident, they are liable and subject to military investigation, because they are military personnel. And each of them also has a family. So this approach - to rush, especially on single-lane roads - is extremely dangerous, and I have never justified it". This was explained in “Hello, Bulgaria” by the former director of the National Traffic Safety Organization Rumen Milanov, commenting on the footage that appeared on social networks.
For her part, lawyer Silvia Petkova commented on the question of whether there is an abuse of the law and was categorical that there is none. “There is a classic violation of the law. Cars with a special regime have the right to violate traffic rules - to drive at excessive speed, to overtake incorrectly, to practically violate almost all rules, but only when there is a real need. And there is an absolute prohibition - not to create a danger to traffic. This prohibition has been violated here," she emphasized.
And she stated that in order for such cars to move with a special regime - there must be a specific need. According to her, in the case of security cars, there is such a need only if the person being guarded is in immediate danger. "I do not see such a need in the specific shots. Moreover, if we are talking about such a serious diplomatic guest as the president of Lebanon - the services should know in advance if there is a risk, and the public should be notified", she explained.
Milanov also explained the rules for other drivers in a similar situation on the road. "In the past, it was mandatory for everyone to stop when a special motorcade passed - but this created the prerequisites for accidents. Now the law says - priority must be given, but it is not mandatory to stop. It is important to give way to those who drive with a special regime - just like an ambulance is given way", said the former head of the NSO.
According to him, the riskier movement of the NSO vehicle of the personnel is undeniable. There is disciplinary responsibility. "It will be clarified why they drove like that - because of the speed, maneuvers, etc. If there is no good reason, disciplinary punishment is imposed. The President of Lebanon cannot order to drive like that. If there was a real threat - that is another matter, but there is no evidence", he emphasized.
The NSO unofficially claims that one of the escort vehicles was in a position "ready to take a blow" to protect the foreign head of state. But we don't know exactly what the oncoming driver's behavior was.
According to Milanov, there are recordings in the car with a special mode, but they are not public.
Lawyer Petkova explained that by law, when a driver sees a car with a special mode of movement - he must make way. But without creating a danger to himself and other road users.
When asked if this driver, who did not turn far enough to the right, could be sanctioned, she replied: "In Bulgaria - anything is possible. I wouldn't be surprised".