The increase in the number of traffic accidents has caused the institutions in North Macedonia to initiate changes in the Law on driving vehicles, deciding to prosecute all those who cause fatal accidents.

The data of the Ministry of Interior show that on average every year hundreds of people lose their lives in accidents.

In recent years, the number has decreased, but this is not enough, say the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The police spokesman, Toni Angellovski, says that last year 116 people lost their lives in various accidents.

The largest number of victims in the last five years was recorded in 2017, namely 155 deaths.

"This number is above the European average and we, as the Minister of Internal Affairs, are working, and we hope that in cooperation with other institutions and, of course, mostly with the help of citizens, we will contribute to increasing traffic safety, because if everyone we respect traffic rules, of course there will be no victims in traffic", says Angellovski.

The Ministry of Justice intends to amend Article 403 of the Law on driving vehicles, which provides for fines for violating traffic rules.

Currently, the legislation foresees punishments mainly with fines of up to 500 euros or the removal of the right to drive for three months to one year.

Now it is intended to introduce a criminal offense or a sentence of up to three years in prison for "careless driving".

"Until now, this offense has not existed in the Criminal Code... In the following period, a detailed analysis will be made of all misdemeanors that must be deleted or modified within the framework of the proposed measures", it is stated in the announcement of the Ministry of Justice of North Macedonia.

According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during 2021, 240,000 fines were issued, half of which were for speeding.

"Last year, we had 104,703 fines for speeding, 24,053 fines for driving without a driver's license, 10,360 fines for driving under the influence of alcohol," says the announcement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Republican Council for Security and Protection in Communication, says that for some misdemeanors there may be lower fines, but not for those that endanger the lives of citizens and fellow passengers in the vehicle.

"For some violations, you may also have misdemeanor charges, but not for the most life-threatening and serious traffic violations and incidents, namely driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at an inappropriate speed and disobeying regulations and signage road.

These are the biggest crimes and they cannot be treated only in a preventive way, but there must be repressive measures", says Dejan Andonović, spokesperson of the Republican Council for traffic safety and protection.

Citizens polled by Radio Free Europe welcome the proposed changes.


But they demand that they apply and apply to everyone equally.

"Perhaps these changes will bring more safety in traffic, but only if there is no interference in removing the penalty.

If this happens, then the fines will apply only to the poor category or to those who do not have people in high positions to remove their punishment", says Naum Kovačev.

"These changes are fine, why kill people, they must be made urgently", says Ibrahim Bajrami.

"I think the changes are good and should be made.

All those who drive vehicles must understand that it is not only important to drive, but also to be careful not to take another's life", says Vesna Stojkova.

From the Republican Council for Traffic Safety and Protection, they say that in addition to the legal changes, in the sense of toughening the punishments, the campaigns for the prevention of accidents are also important, but also the education at home, especially of parents and children on the way to in schools and kindergartens.

The changes to the Criminal Code proposed by the Ministry of Justice have already been published in the national electronic registration and are expected to be approved after the summer holidays./REL/