Title: Tragic Accident on Sofia-Kyustendil Road Highlights Danger from Escaped Horses
In an alarming incident, a young woman lost her life when a car collision with a group of horses occurred on the Sofia-Kyustendil road. The accident transpired in the night of December 28, near the village of Yablkovtsi, leaving the driver and another passenger injured and hospitalized.
The road, while dangerous due to the potential presence of the equines, is notorious for its striking transformations in speed limits. Bulgarian musician Venzi Mickov took to Facebook to discuss the peculiar conditions, "If you’re coming from Sofia and pass by the photovoltaic panels that have decimated kilometers of ecosystems and are threatening to destroy the Konjaska Mountain and its surroundings, you’ll enter Yablkovtsi, which is entirely situated on the Sofia-Kyustendil highway."
Mickov explains that the speed limit here is 50 km/h with regular police presence and speed cameras. However, the restrictions lift soon after, allowing speeds up to 100 km/h. This rapid change coupled with the common occurrence of horses freely roaming the roads creates a treacherous commute.
According to Mickov, horse owners frequently set their animals loose, leading to repeated incidents. "I’ve had my own encounters with this problem, and I’m not alone," he writes. "There’s even a horse-drawn carriage service in Kyustendil, while such carriages are no longer seen in Sofia."
The recent tragedy occurs on a stretch where the speed limit is nearly that of a motorway (90 km/h). Despite ‘electric fences’ designed to keep the animals safe, this method has evidently failed, leaving the roads a hazard. The issue, known to local authorities, seems unsolved, with Mickov asserting, "We’re not at war, but we’re killing our youth due to unresolved problems."
Sources:
- 24chasa.bg: https://www.24chasa.bg/bulgaria/article/19604382
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