Sofia introduces 30km/h speed limit in the city centre

Sofia municipality introduces a speed limit of 30 km/h for drivers in the centre of the city.

The first “30km/h Zone” in Bulgaria’s capital city is aimed to provide safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists and to encourage the use of other forms of transport.

"The idea is for motorists to get used to the fact that there are such zones and drive at a maximum speed of 30 km/h even when they are outside the speed-limit network," said Dimitar Petrov from Sofia Traffic Management and Analysis Directorate.

The reason is that a lower speed limit of 30 km/h might not cause death or severe injuries to pedestrians in the event of a crash or road accident.

The first 30km/h zone will be operational from February 10 and will include the small streets between the boulevards "Prague", "Skobelev", "Vitosha" and "Pencho Slaveykov". Signs are to be installed to indicate the speed limit area. The measure could also have a positive effect on the environment.

Residents living in the area are supportive of the initiative, and some want the restriction to apply to boulevards as well.

The municipality is planning more such zones in the central part of the capital by the end of the year and in areas with an increased number of road accidents.