Due to the many accidents on the streets of Plovdiv caused by high-speed driving, the installation of speed cameras began in the city under the hills camera facilities to detect trespassers. They are being installed on five key arteries identified by the police. The cameras will be provided by the Ministry of the Interior, BNT specifies.
It is no secret to anyone that there is not a single stationary camera in Plovdiv that detects speed and imposes fines based on its indications. Meanwhile, Plovdiv police were left with one less tripod camera this week after a pedestrian kicked one of the devices and fled on Wednesday morning. He was located hours later and taken into custody pending an investigation into the extent of the damage. However, the result is there – it becomes difficult to control the road, and in the city serious accidents due to high speed are unfortunately not a rare phenomenon. At the moment, five key locations have been identified where stationary cameras provided by the Ministry of the Interior are expected to be placed. For the control of the road, we sought the opinion of the experts.
At least 150 stationary cameras are needed for a city the size of Plovdiv to deal with races and high speeds, according to the Association of Accident Victims. The latest worst incidents – on “Russian“ Boulevard and "Komatevsko shose", were also a result of exceeding the speed limit by several times in a populated place.
"Plovdiv has zero stationary speed cameras, which is absolutely unacceptable. There should be at least 150 stationary speed cameras in the city so that such 200-kilometer races are not allowed and young people die," explained Vladimir Todorov – Association of accident victims.
According to the current legislation, the municipal administrations do not receive income from the imposed penalties for speeding. A proposal has already been sent from Plovdiv to change this so that the funds can invest in cameras.
"The methodology for determining the placement of these cameras is also questionable, as it is very important to determine the exact location where the violation of road traffic rules begins, not the actual destination where the accident occurred." ;, pointed out Georgi Gatev – mayor of the region "Thrakia" in Plovdiv.
According to motor racing driver Pavel Karagyozov, who participates in various demonstrations showing how to drive safely in urban conditions, the installation of cameras is a step in the right direction.
"If there start to be sanctions, it means that to some extent driving will start to slow down in the city. Unfortunately, there are an awful lot of people who, firstly, do not know the law, and secondly, there are people who do know it and purposefully violate it, so this thing must stop," Pavel Karagyozov is emphatic.
The police in Plovdiv report more fines imposed on the road in the first six months. The largest number of electronic slips were issued - over 30,000.