Tougher penalties for speeding and drink-driving as of March 24

Tougher penalties for motorists offending road traffic rules were introduced as of March 24.

More points will be taken off the driving licence for speeding and for systematically organising chases on the streets of towns and villages. Also, those driving with blood alcohol content up to 1.2 per mille risk losing their licence more quickly if they regularly drink and drive.

The new tougher penalties for speeding, drink-driving, improper manoeuvres and talking on the phone have come as a surprise to drivers.

Starting today, if the breathalyser reads that you are driving with 0.5 to 08 blood alcohol level, you will lose 8 control points. If you've had a little more to drink, you will lose 12 control points. In the event of second such offence, motorists will lose another 20 points. If motorists refuse to take an alcohol or drug test, 15 points are taken off.

If you speed more than 50 km/h above the speed limit in a populated area, you will lose 18 points and a second offence will result in further 26 points. On top of that, you will also pay a serious fine.

"Let's not forget that there are many people of means who are not bothered by fines of a few hundred leva, but now penalties are being introduced that could lead to losing the driving licence and having to take special courses to recover it," Vladimir Todorov, Bulgarian Association of Road Accident Victims said.

New sanctions are also being introduced from today. Driving in the oncoming lane on a motorway or expressway will now result in 15 points taken off. For overtaking incorrectly, which creates a danger for others, the penalty is 13 points, and for driving in the emergency lane – 10 points..

More points will also be taken off for talking on the phone while driving, for crossing at amber or red traffic light, and for taking the right of way on a pedestrian crossing.