Illegal parking is the most common traffic violation in Bulgaria, according to the results of a nationwide road survey carried out by the National Police Service (NPS).

Officers from the traffic, security and criminal police took part in the five-day operation, which finished on Sunday. It aimed at reducing the number of traffic violations, maintaining order and security on the country's roads and combating crime. Special attention was paid to the main international roads, as one of the goals of the operation was to help foreign drivers.

"Policemen have been giving out special brochures to foreign drivers about what might happen to them on Bulgaria's roads," explained the NPS spokesperson Mariana Kostadinova. She explained that the most common incidents were cases of fake traffic police officers that stopped foreign drivers and usually fined them. "During the operation the policemen were checking for illegal use of sirens and uniforms," said Kostadinova.

According to NPS data, police officers helped out 313 foreign drivers during the checks.

About 680 specially trained police officers carried out the operation and checked 48,166 vehicles. They monitored whether speed limits were observed, checked the technical condition of vehicles and tested drivers for alcohol consumption. According to the results of the NPS, 20,344 traffic violations were registered in the five-day period, 7,078 drivers were punished for breaking speed limits and 476 people were caught drinking and driving. More than 3,700 drivers who were stopped had not been using seat belts properly. Speeding was the most common violation in Sofia and more than 400 drivers were fined.

NPS statistics showed that there have been 4,238 accidents in Bulgaria since the beginning of the year. This is 126 more than the same period last year. Almost 600 people have died and 5,040 have been injured.

As part of the operation policemen also made raids on thieves, drug-dealers and illegal weapons. Officers arrested 132 wanted persons and confiscated 44 stolen vehicles. More than 315 beggars were removed from crossroads and 408 people were registered as road prostitutes and pimps. Sofia had the highest figures in this area.

The NPS press office summarized the data by saying that specialized operations of this kind have a positive effect and should be carried out more often.