Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

In a television interview, the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Danail Papazov, stated that changes in the methods of psychological tests for drivers of motor vehicles are prepared to take place by the end of July. The preparation of records including all road traffic violations of drivers for taxi companies is considered. According to Minister Papazov, bus and taxi drivers should lose their right to operate public transport permanently, once it is established they have consumed alcohol at work.

"The battle with the use of alcohol is one of the principal means to reduce vandalism on the road," said the minister. He expressed his personal opinion that there should be higher penalties for drunk drivers.

Among the long-term measures to prevent road accidents is the introduction of patent on the taxi businesses and bringing them out of the dark. The minister noted that currently the budget sees little income from those businesses and the reason for this is the possibility of the companies to be closed once they reach the threshold for VAT. He outlined the more flexible traffic managements as one of the long-term actions.

Danail Papazov further noted that there are Public Councils for modes of transport, as well as information technology and communications since last Tuesday. In the specialized Council in the field of road transport, combating the gray economy and strengthening the control on issuance of driving licenses has been already discussed.