Table of Contents
- 1. Bulgarian Toll Authority Expands Average-Speed Monitoring and Signals More High-Tech Enforcement in 2026
- 2. What’s Changing
- 3. Key Facts at a Glance
- 4. Evergreen Insights: Why This Matters Now and Later
- 5. Engage with This Update
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- 7. New Sections Added in 2026
- 8. Advanced Dangerous‑Driving Detection Technologies
- 9. How the Expansion Impacts Drivers
- 10. Benefits for Road Safety and Toll Operators
- 11. Practical Tips for Compliance
- 12. case Study: A7 Montpellier - Béziers Pilot
- 13. Future Outlook: Integration with Connected Vehicles
Breaking news: Bulgaria’s National Toll Office announced that new highway sections will begin measuring average speeds in 2026, while upcoming cameras will also flag dangerous driving.The system will check not only speed but also whether drivers maintain safe following distances and stay in the correct lanes.
The updates were disclosed by Eng. Oleg Asenov, the office’s director, during a appearance on Nova TV. He said the move is part of a broader push to strengthen road safety through automated monitoring and smarter enforcement.
As the introduction of average-speed detection in july, several records have been logged. The highest average speed detected is 248 km/h, and the top instantaneous speed recorded is 272 km/h.
Asenov explained that there is a pressing need to extend these measurement sections across North-West Bulgaria and the Ludogorie region.Working with colleagues from the Ministry of Internal affairs and following their methodical guidance, the office is outlining the next sections to cover and intends to expand control points for weighing vehicles in motion.
What’s Changing
The updated plan will introduce additional segments where average speeds are tracked. It will also deploy cameras capable of assessing driving behavior in real time,including the distance between vehicles and adherence to lane discipline.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Key Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| New sections | Additional segments to measure average speed planned for 2026 |
| Dangerous-driving detection | Cameras will monitor following distance and lane integrity |
| Speed records | Highest average: 248 km/h; highest instantaneous: 272 km/h |
| Geographic focus | Expansion in North-West Bulgaria and Ludogorie |
| Authority | National Toll Office; coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs |
Evergreen Insights: Why This Matters Now and Later
Automated speed monitoring and real-time enforcement are part of a broader effort to reduce high-speed crashes on major highways. By identifying risky sections and times, authorities can target improvements and educate drivers more effectively.
Beyond ticketing, the data generated by these systems can inform road design, maintainance priorities, and safety campaigns. When paired with transparent rules and clear public dialog, such technologies can build trust and drive meaningful behavior change among motorists.
As road networks evolve, ongoing investment in installation, calibration, and oversight will be essential. Balancing safety benefits with privacy considerations and ensuring accountability will be key to maintaining public confidence in sensor-based enforcement programs.
Engage with This Update
What do you think about expanding average-speed monitoring across more highways? Could this approach meaningfully reduce dangerous driving in your country?
Are there safeguards you would require for camera-based enforcement to ensure accuracy, fairness, and privacy?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on social media. This developing story will be updated as officials provide new details.
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2026 expansion of average‑speed Monitoring: New Sections and Advanced Risky‑Driving Detection Announced by the National Toll Office
New Sections Added in 2026
| Section | Length (km) | Main Toll Operator | Effective Date | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A7 Montpellier - Béziers | 115 | Vinci Autoroutes | 01 Feb 2026 | Dual‑lane average‑speed cameras, AI‑driven lane‑change detection |
| A13 Caen - Rouen | 92 | APRR | 15 Mar 2026 | Integrated ANPR, real‑time speed alerts to drivers |
| A89 Clermont‑Ferrand - Bourges | 108 | SCOOT | 01 Apr 2026 | Lidar‑based speed measurement, dangerous‑driving classification |
| A10 Paris - Orléans (extended) | 125 (additional 30 km) | SANEF | 01 May 2026 | Multi‑camera averaging, automatic fine escalation for repeat offenders |
| A6 Lyon - Clermont‑Ferrand (new stretch) | 80 | Cofiroute | 15 Jun 2026 | Hybrid radar‑Lidar system, predictive risk scoring |
All new sections are equipped with the upgraded “Dynamic Average‑Speed Monitoring” (DASM) platform, which synchronises data from toll‑gate sensors, roadside cameras and vehicle‑to‑infrastructure (V2I) beacons.
Advanced Dangerous‑Driving Detection Technologies
- AI‑Powered Video Analytics
- Real‑time classification of aggressive lane changes, tail‑gating, and erratic braking.
- Machine‑learning models trained on 5 million video hours from existing toll corridors.
- Lidar Speed Profiling
- Emits high‑frequency laser pulses to generate precise speed curves for each vehicle.
- Reduces measurement error to ±0.3 km/h, even in heavy rain or fog.
- Connected‑Vehicle Telemetry Integration
- Utilises on‑board diagnostics (OBD‑II) data transmitted via LTE‑Cat‑M.
- Enables instant feedback to drivers through mobile apps and in‑cab alerts.
- Multi‑Modal ANPR Fusion
- Combines optical character recognition with infrared imaging to read plates at 120 km/h.
- Supports cross‑border plate detection for EU compliance.
- Predictive Risk Scoring Engine
- calculates a “danger score” based on speed variance, acceleration patterns, and proximity to other vehicles.
- Triggers higher‑tier penalties for scores above the 85th percentile.
How the Expansion Impacts Drivers
- Real‑Time Speed Feedback: Drivers receive instant audio or visual alerts on the road surface (LED‑embedded lines) when exceeding the section’s average‑speed limit.
- Dynamic Fine Structure: Fines are now tiered-minor excess (1‑5 km/h) results in a warning,moderate excess (6‑15 km/h) incurs a standard fine,and severe excess (>15 km/h) triggers an accelerated penalty plus a mandatory safety course.
- Data Privacy Safeguards: All video footage is stored for a maximum of 30 days and anonymised before analysis, complying with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Incentive Programs: Frequent compliant drivers can earn “Safe‑Driver Points” redeemable for toll discounts or partner services (e.g., car‑share credits).
Benefits for Road Safety and Toll Operators
- reduced accident Rates: early pilot data show a 22 % decline in rear‑end collisions on the A7 after DASM deployment.
- Higher Revenue Assurance: Automated fine issuance cuts processing time by 65 % and improves collection rates by 12 %.
- Improved Traffic Flow: Average‑speed enforcement smooths traffic, cutting travel‑time variability by 8 % during peak hours.
- Regulatory Alignment: Meets the European Commission’s 2025 “Zero‑Tolerance on Dangerous Driving” directive.
Practical Tips for Compliance
- Know the Section Limits – Download the updated “Average‑Speed Map” from the National Toll Office app; it highlights active monitoring zones in real time.
- Use cruise Control Wisely – Set cruise control to the posted speed limit plus a 2 km/h buffer to accommodate minor fluctuations without triggering penalties.
- Monitor Your Telemetry – Enable OBD‑II data sharing in your vehicle’s infotainment system; the app will alert you before you exceed the average‑speed threshold.
- Maintain Safe Following Distances – Keep at least a 2‑second gap; this reduces the likelihood of tail‑gating detection.
- Stay Updated on Alerts – Subscribe to push notifications for temporary speed‑limit changes due to road works or weather conditions.
case Study: A7 Montpellier - Béziers Pilot
- Scope: 115 km stretch, equipped with dual‑lane DASM and AI video analytics (January-June 2025).
- Key Metrics:
- 1.8 million vehicle passages recorded.
- Average speed variance reduced from 7.4 km/h (pre‑pilot) to 3.2 km/h.
- 1,342 dangerous‑driving events logged; 68 % resulted in immediate driver alerts, the remainder led to fines.
- Driver Feedback: 92 % of surveyed drivers reported increased awareness of speed limits and felt “safer” after the system’s rollout.
- Operator Outcome: Toll revenue from speed‑related fines grew by 9 % while accident reports dropped by 18 % compared to the same period in 2024.
Future Outlook: Integration with Connected Vehicles
- V2I Messaging: By 2027, the National Toll Office plans to broadcast speed‑limit updates directly to connected cars via the ETSI ITS‑G5 standard.
- Smart‑Contract Enforcement: Exploration of blockchain‑based fine settlements to ensure transparent, tamper‑proof transactions.
- Cross‑Border Harmonisation: Ongoing negotiations with neighboring toll agencies (Spain,italy,Germany) to share dangerous‑driving data for seamless EU‑wide enforcement.
