Heavy Truck Traffic Restricted Due to Heat

When air temperatures exceed 35°C, heavy goods traffic will be stopped from 1:00 p. m. in the regions of Sofia Province, Ruse, Silistra, Razgrad, Targovishte, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Montana and Vratsa.

The restriction will not apply to trucks carrying perishable food, temperature-controlled cargo, live animals and dangerous goods, the RIA added. The suspension of heavy truck traffic aims to reduce the risk of road surface deformation and to protect the lives and health of travellers.

The RIA also said that today and tomorrow pavement blocks will be cleaned on facilities along the Hemus motorway in Lovech Region. Weather forecasts predict intense heat of 34–35°C, which is why a yellow warning for dangerously high temperatures has been issued across the country. In the afternoon, cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds will develop over western and central northern Bulgaria, and short showers with thunderstorms are expected in some places. A light to moderate east-northeasterly wind will blow. In the mountains, the weather will be mostly sunny, but showers and thunderstorms are also expected there around and after noon.

The agency urges drivers to drive carefully and at an appropriate speed, to obey traffic rules and not to attempt risky overtaking that could endanger the safety of other travellers. The RIA also calls on motorists not to use emergency lanes on motorways to move faster in heavy traffic.