Bulgaria left millions in road safety funds unused, audit finds

Bulgaria remains among the European Union countries with the highest road fatality rates, while measures aimed at reducing traffic deaths and injuries have proved insufficient, according to a report by the National Audit Office covering the period from Jan. 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025. 

The report found that around 255 million euros allocated to road safety had accumulated in a special fund managed by the Interior Ministry, largely because administrative and organisational shortcomings had left much of the money unspent.

According to the auditors, funds intended for accident prevention and reducing casualties were used for routine repairs to traffic police buildings, the purchase of uniforms and office supplies, as well as seminars and competitions such as "Traffic Police Officer of the Year".

At the same time, the number of road accidents has risen steadily in recent years, while the number of injuries, particularly serious ones, has also increased, the report said.

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Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has ordered that spending from the Road Safety fund be restricted to activities directly related to improving road conditions and reducing fatalities and injuries.

Editor: Diana Tsankova