The Serbian traffic police are facing criticism for delays in issuing fines for speeding violations, raising concerns about road safety and accountability. According to a report by Direktno, drivers in Serbia often experience significant waits, sometimes several months, before receiving fines for speeding captured by cameras. This delay has led to situations where drivers unknowingly commit multiple offenses during the waiting period, receiving numerous fines at once.

Advocate Vladimir Miljević has highlighted the issue, suggesting that the notification process should be expedited to prevent repeated offenses by unaware drivers. Miljević proposes that the Ministry of Internal Affairs establish a recommended notification period of 10 to 20 days, arguing that waiting longer than this is inappropriate. He cited instances on the Ada Bridge where drivers received fines four to six months after the offenses, during which time they continued to exceed speed limits, accumulating multiple fines.

Miljević emphasized the importance of timely notifications to ensure drivers are aware of their infractions promptly, which would help in preventing further violations. He stated, “It’s unacceptable for someone to commit dozens of infractions on the same stretch of road without being informed for months.” He also noted that while drivers are obligated to follow traffic regulations, they have the right to be informed of violations in a timely manner.

The current legal framework allows the traffic police a year to process and notify offenders of traffic violations. However, Miljević pointed out that this often leads to delays that do not contribute to road safety. He noted that in practice, notifications are sometimes sent just before the relative statute of limitations expires, or even after it has expired, though such cases are rare.

To address the issue, Miljević advised drivers to regularly check their electronic mailboxes on the eGovernment portal, as notifications are increasingly being sent electronically. He warned that email alerts about new messages might not always arrive, so drivers should not rely solely on them. Instead, he recommended that drivers directly access their electronic mailboxes to avoid missing important notifications.

The delay in issuing fines has sparked a broader discussion about the efficiency of the traffic violation processing system in Serbia. Miljević’s recommendations aim to improve compliance and enhance road safety by ensuring that drivers are promptly informed of their infractions. This issue underscores the need for a more efficient system that can quickly process and notify drivers of violations, thereby reducing the likelihood of repeated offenses and enhancing overall traffic safety.