News

26 June 2026

In response to complaints and reports received by the Ombudsman Institution from citizens following the serious accident on the Trakia motorway on 24 June 2026, in which three people were killed, including two children, Public Defender Velislava Delcheva sent a letter to Prime Minister Rumen Radev calling for immediate action to improve road safety.

In it, the Ombudsman expresses concern over the steadily rising number of road traffic fatalities in the country, among whom children are increasingly frequent victims. Delcheva emphasises that public outrage following yet another tragedy is immense, and that citizens expect not just more promises and statements after every serious incident, but consistent, concrete, and effective measures to ensure the safety of all road users.

She also quotes excerpts from the letters she received, in which citizens have raised the painful question: “How many more children must die before decisive measures are taken?” The complaints call for uncompromising enforcement of traffic rules, strict penalties for dangerous behaviour on the road, improvements to the condition and safety of road infrastructure, greater transparency and accountability regarding the measures taken, as well as a national policy that gives priority to the protection of human life above all other priorities.

In her letter to the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman notes that despite the adoption of the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 and the Three-Year Action Plan 2024–2026, the statistics continue to show alarming results. Bulgaria remains among the European Union Member States with the highest mortality rate from traffic accidents, and forecasts indicate that this negative trend will continue in the coming years.

Velislava Delcheva also draws attention to a number of systemic problems that have been repeatedly raised by the Ombudsman Institution in its annual reports to the National Assembly and in recommendations to the competent authorities. These include the poor condition of the road infrastructure, insufficient transparency in identifying sites for repair and in the spending of public funds, weak oversight of the quality of repairs, and the need for more effective organisation of preventive measures.

The letter also focuses on the Audit Report of the National Audit Office regarding the effectiveness of the controls carried out by the Ministry of Interior and the impact of the Road Safety Fund. The Ombudsman notes the audit’s alarming findings, according to which the fund’s management and oversight activities do not sufficiently contribute to improving road safety. The question is also raised as to why the interactive map of dangerous road sections, announced a year ago, is still not operational, despite its importance for prevention and public control.

Velislava Delcheva insists that an in-depth assessment be conducted in the near future of the implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy and of the shortcomings identified across all its components, including in light of the eight key safety indicators recommended by the European Commission. She also calls for a review of the regulatory framework and, if necessary, the proposal of legislative changes; for the improvement of the enforcement model implemented by the Ministry of Interior and the “Automobile Administration” Executive Agency; and for a comprehensive review of the road infrastructure—pavements, markings, safety equipment, traffic signals, and visibility.

At the end of the letter, the Ombudsman underscores that addressing the serious problem of traffic accidents requires a concerted effort by all institutions and civil society.