Tue, Feb 09 2010

Sofia's deadly 'Russian road roulette'

Fri, Oct 30 2009 16:51 CET byGabriel Hershman 2846 Views 5 Comments
Sofia's deadly 'Russian road roulette'

Photo: Tsvetelina Nikolaeva

Sky News is reporting that Bulgarian police are investigating claims that drivers in Sofia are endangering their lives in a dangerous new gambling game.

According to the report, the chief prosecutor's office in Sofia has received accounts of people speeding through red lights in order to collect bets of up to 5000 euro.

"The rules apparently state that, in order to win, the driver must not touch their brakes, crash into cars or pedestrians nor leave the road. Onlookers gambling on the outcome are also risking their lives by watching in such close proximity," says Sky News.

The report goes on to say that the craze started in the summer and usually takes place at busy intersections late at night.

While lookouts watch for the police, the participants decide on the venue for the night. Other gang members are informed via texts and the gambling starts.

Police commissioner Vanio Stoevski is quoted as saying "every time we receive a tipoff for such an unregulated race, we send patrols".  

According to Sky News: "Authorities are now keeping watch on the roads they think could attract the game's organisers. But the locale of the urban street races remain difficult to predict because they are often planned via text message at short notice."

Comments

Anonymous Ivan Mon, Nov 02 2009 11:11 CET
Inappropriate comment?

If you think Sofia roads are dangerous travel east to Sliven. Without gambling everytime you drive there it's taking a gamble with your life.

Преглед на профил Sun, Nov 01 2009 09:17 CET
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Leave them without their brain pieces and cut off their arms and legs, that way they cant drive full stop!!!

Anonymous T Fri, Oct 30 2009 22:14 CET
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These drivers need brain surgery to put the pieces back that are missing.

Anonymous Dan Fri, Oct 30 2009 20:46 CET
Inappropriate comment?

I know people that been playing such "games" for at least 10 years now. Before they did it just for the fun of it. It seems it evolved into gambling which is awesome.

Anonymous Mark C. Fri, Oct 30 2009 18:51 CET
Inappropriate comment?

Recent gambling game? I've been watching cars blow through red lights late at night on Sofia streets for years, and with no money involved.

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