Why are so many people dying on Bulgaria’s roads?

Bulgaria has the highest road death rate in the EU. Figures for 2025, published by the European Commission in late October, show that 71 people per million inhabitants died on the country’s roads. Yesterday’s tragedy (10 November), when two pile-ups involving more than 80 vehicles killed 11 people and injured dozens, gives us another reason to ask what is going wrong with road safety in Bulgaria.

A Radio Bulgaria team asked Sofia residents what causes the high death toll and what could be done to reduce it.

“I’m a professional driver, and I see all sorts of things. People look at their phones, ignore speed limits, road signs and markings, and park wherever they like, even in the city centre. If there’s no pavement or bollard, they think they can park there,” says 38-year-old Alexander.

Northwestern Bulgaria has traditionally recorded the country’s highest road death rate. According to the National Statistical Institute, it stood at 107 deaths per million inhabitants in 2025. We stop a young man from Vratsa, who tells us what he believes is the main reason for the region’s grim record.

“I’m from Vratsa, and the roads north of the town are in an appalling state. There are accidents very often. I think fixing the roads is probably the first thing that needs to be done to reduce the death toll, because however carefully you drive, the road doesn’t allow you to drive properly.”

Among the factors people blame for the high number of road deaths are the laws - or, more precisely, the failure to observe them. A retired woman who asked to remain anonymous believes the lack of tougher penalties makes offenders feel untouchable.

Alexander, whom we spoke to earlier, also has a view on the role of the police in enforcing the law.

“We put up cameras and hide in the bushes and think we’re doing something to prevent accidents. That’s not how you prevent them,” he says. “In my opinion, for anything to happen, the police simply have to do their job. They don’t want to work. After six in the evening, it’s as if we have no police, no one enforcing the rules.”

What do young drivers think? A final-year pupil at Sofia’s Seventh Secondary School, St Sedmochislenitsi, suggests raising the minimum age for a driving licence.

“The age at which you can get a driving licence should be raised a little. In my opinion, 18 is far too young.”

She bases her view on the reckless driving she has seen among some of her classmates. She also believes the driving test should be harder, to limit the number of young, irresponsible drivers.

From laws and penalties to road conditions, police work and drivers’ behaviour, the people we spoke to offered different explanations for Bulgaria’s high road death toll. One conclusion nevertheless emerges. Reducing the number of deaths requires a joint effort, with everyone taking responsibility. The problem is that we usually discuss the subject only after a major tragedy.

By Danaya Krasimirova and Yoana Avramova, intern reporters

Editor: Elizabeth Radkova

Supervising editor: Elena Karkalanova