Violators of road traffic regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina face harsher penalties from today. Symbolic photo: Nik Erik Neubauer
Stricter penalties for traffic violations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, possible even permanent confiscation of the vehicle
From today, violators of road traffic regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina face harsher penalties with a fine of up to 2,500 euros. These are brought about by the new law on road traffic safety, which, in addition to high fines, also introduces other measures, such as the permanent confiscation of the vehicle, for the most serious violations, according to the media in BiH.
The biggest innovation is the introduction of the misdemeanor “driving while intoxicated”, which is punishable by a fine of 2,000 to 3,000 convertible marks (approximately 1,000 to 1,500 euros), a six-month suspension of the driver’s license and two penalty points, and the permanent confiscation of the vehicle is also possible.
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 kilometers per hour in the settlement or by more than 60 kilometers per hour outside the settlement, overtaking a convoy of vehicles across a continuous line, and driving with more than 1.5 parts per million of alcohol in the blood or under the influence of drugs will be considered drunken driving. Driving through a red light will also be dealt with in the same way, if the police catch the driver doing it several times within 20 minutes.
In the event of a traffic accident, the penalties are even more severe
If drunken driving causes a traffic accident, the penalties will be even more severe. Drivers will be fined 3,000 to 5,000 convertible marks (approximately 500 to 2,500 euros) and banned from driving for nine months.
The law also introduces tougher penalties for using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free system, not wearing a seat belt and using devices that interfere with police radars.
Fines of 200 to 400 marks (approximately 100 to 200 euros) are foreseen for using the phone while driving or not wearing a seat belt. If a driver causes a traffic accident with such an offense, the fine increases to 400 to 2,000 marks (approximately 200 to 1,000 euros), and the driver can be banned from driving for up to six months.
The police announce strict implementation of new rules aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents with the most serious consequences. It will pay special attention to repeat offenders.
