Minister of Interior Panče Toškovski today visited the facility housing the central “Safe City” system, marking the start of the pilot phase during which traffic offenders will receive notifications for violations recorded by the system.
With the latest amendments to the Law on Road Traffic Safety, violations documented through technical means—cameras, sensors, and recording devices—are considered valid evidence. In the first phase, the system will register speeding, running a red light, expired vehicle registration, and improper parking. In the next phase, the range of violations recorded by the electronic system will be expanded.
Once the system becomes fully operational, vehicle owners whose vehicles have committed a traffic violation will receive an SMS message and an email containing a link to download the official violation report along with the payment order. Fines will be payable electronically, and no additional procedural costs will be charged if the fine is paid within the prescribed deadline. For certain violations that include the sanction of a driving ban, the Ministry of Interior will submit a request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings before the competent court.
In the first 12 hours of the pilot operation, an astonishing 65,000 violations were recorded, including 2,800 for running a red light and 1,000 for unregistered vehicles. This alarming figure once again confirms the necessity and justification of the system, from which we expect significant improvements in traffic culture, increased safety for all road users, and a reduction in damages and traffic casualties.
“With the launch of this system, we send a clear message – the safety of our citizens is a top priority. There will be zero tolerance for irresponsible driving, whether in urban areas or on open roads. ‘Safe City’ is a project that protects lives and restores discipline in traffic,” Minister Toškovski emphasized.
The Ministry of Interior will continue testing and upgrading the system to ensure its full implementation in the next phase.
