Amendments to the road traffic act: what's new?

Some of the amendments are technical and affect the lives of ordinary road users only indirectly. For example, the persons responsible for this are now obliged to remove road signs about repair works on time. Many Bulgarian drivers are familiar with the situation where restrictive signs are not removed for a long time after the repairs are finished, so this news is among the positive ones.

New rules for cyclists on the road

In addition to the old rules, such as riding as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway, new ones have appeared.

Cyclists must:

• wear a vest or other clothing with reflective elements;
• in the dark, as well as in poor visibility, switch on a front light;
• walk alongside the bicycle when crossing the roadway at a pedestrian crossing.

Cyclists are prohibited from:

• carrying passengers on the bicycle;
• talking on the phone while riding or using other devices that distract attention and occupy the hands;
• taking animals along — when riding on the carriageway.

Rules for electric scooter riders

The law now devotes a special section to personal electric mobility devices.

Scooter riders are obliged to:

• use the cycling infrastructure, and if there is none — ride on the road as close as possible to the right edge;
• use only electric scooters in good working order that reach a speed of up to 25 km/h;
• wear a protective helmet;
• in poor visibility, switch on the headlight and wear a vest or other clothing with reflective elements;
• cross the road at pedestrian crossings not on the scooter, but walking alongside it;
• observe the traffic rules and give way to vehicles;
• hold a third-party liability insurance policy;

Scooter riders are prohibited from:

• riding an unregistered electric scooter;
• exceeding a speed of 25 km/s;
• riding on roads with a permitted speed of more than 50 km/h (where there are no cycle lanes);
• riding in zones where cycling is not permitted;
• riding on streets with sign Г13;
• riding in the dark;
• riding the scooter in potentially dangerous ways, performing jumps, riding on one wheel, letting go of the handlebars;
• carrying passengers;
• carrying, in any way, objects that hinder control of the electric scooter or create a danger for other road users;
• riding alongside another electric scooter or two-wheeled vehicle;
• riding in the immediate vicinity of another vehicle and holding on to it;
• riding the scooter in pedestrian zones;
• talking on the phone while riding or using other devices that distract attention and occupy the hands;
• taking animals along;
• parking the electric scooter in parks, public gardens, squares, children’s and sports playgrounds, green areas, pavements, pedestrian zones, entrances to metro stations or buildings, paths and other areas for people with disabilities, except in places specially designated for this purpose.

Electric scooters may only be ridden from the age of 16.

New rules for drivers

The rules for crossing railway tracks have been tightened, and the requirements for observing speed limits have become stricter. In populated areas, “Zones 30” are planned, where the maximum speed will be no more than 30 km/h.

Talking on the phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited — the hands must be free.

When approaching areas where there are children, blind or deafblind people nearby, the driver must slow down in order to brake quickly if necessary.

The greatest public interest was aroused by the news about increased fines. Now, for exceeding the speed limit outside populated areas by more than 40 km/h, in addition to a fine of 600 leva, the licence is taken away for 2 months. For a repeat offence the fine is doubled and the licence is taken away for 3 months. Driving without documents will now cost not 10 but 30 leva. Failing to give way to a pedestrian at a crossing or running a red light carries a fine of 150 leva.

New rules for pedestrians

Now pedestrians must not have mobile phones in their hands either — at least when crossing the road. In addition, pedestrians must obey the instructions of the traffic officer and traffic lights, must not climb over barriers, must give way to trams and trains, and must cross city streets only at crossings. Roads outside the city and two-lane city streets may be crossed without a crossing if there is none, but subject to the other rules. However, walking in tunnels and on bridges where there are no pavements is not allowed at all. It is also prohibited to cross the street directly in front of or behind a stationary bus, trolleybus or tram.