Skopje, 9 March 2025 (MIA) - Public Security Bureau Director Aleksandar Janev stated that multiple measures are being considered to improve traffic safety and that efforts are underway to launch the "Safe City" system. Some of the required legal amendments are in the government procedure, while technical assessments are being carried out to ensure functionality.

In response to a journalist's question about whether new measures are being considered following last week's fatal traffic accidents, Janev stated Sunday that as long as traffic rules are not respected, regardless of the presence of patrols, everyone remains at risk and a potential victim on the road.

"It is positive that in urban areas where controls have been strengthened, the number of traffic accidents and violations has decreased, while the number of detected and potential offenders has increased, which means that the measures we are implementing are yielding results. However, speaking as a citizen rather than an institutional representative, we all must change our traffic culture. We can be present at every point, but if someone continues driving recklessly after passing a traffic patrol, it is truly disheartening for all of us. Unfortunately, this leads to serious injuries, significant material damage, and even casualties. Of course, we are considering a mix of measures for the future, and are already implementing them. Every day, we work with colleagues responsible for traffic at the national strategic level, maintaining constant communication with stakeholders across the country, local authorities, and the 'Streets and Roads' public enterprise to improve road markings and traffic signals," Janev said.

"Our underage children are also participants in traffic, so we must elevate our traffic culture to the highest level. As long as we do not respect traffic rules, whether there are traffic patrols or not, we remain at risk and potential victims on the roads," said Janev during a simulation exercise at Skopje International Airport.

Asked when the "Safe City" system will become operational and whether it is being delayed due to local elections, he stated that he does not want to engage in political connotations. He emphasized that this is a large-scale project that had only been superficially addressed in the past, but now real action is being taken. However, implementing the necessary technology in practice requires amendments to at least five laws.

As previously announced by the Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, the first version of all the necessary laws will be prepared by the end of this month for government procedure, and by the end of the following month, they will enter parliamentary procedure.

The first fines from the "Safe City" system will be issued starting January 1, 2026, although the system itself is expected to become operational earlier.

Photo: MIA