North Macedonia’s notoriously aggressive traffic has calmed since the introduction of the long-awaited Safe City traffic monitoring project on February 1, according to residents of the capital Skopje. 

The project is a major initiative aimed at improving road safety after the country recorded persistently high numbers of traffic-related fatalities. The programme, which received parliamentary approval in January following an intense political debate, introduces a network of smart cameras to monitor and enforce traffic regulations in urban centres and key transit corridors.

The move comes against a sobering backdrop: last year, North Macedonia recorded 78 road deaths per million inhabitants, almost double the European Union average.

In total, 142 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2025, with young people under 29 representing the largest share. Officials highlighted that the leading cause of these deaths among youths was the failure to comply with traffic rules.

Speaking at the launch of the project, the Minister of Interior Pance Toskovski emphasised the country’s commitment to adopting the European Safe System approach, aiming to halve the number of traffic fatalities by 2030 and eventually achieve zero deaths by 2050. 

Fines, sanctions and early results

Before the programme’s launch, traffic rules were often ignored in Skopje, with some drivers running red lights and failing to respect pedestrian crossings, and motorcyclists racing at dangerous speeds along major boulevards at night. Several fatal accidents, particularly involving young victims, sparked widespread public outrage and led to almost daily protests.

The speed limit in most built-up areas in Skopje and other cities is 50 km/h, unless otherwise indicated. Under the Safe City system, a tolerance of up to 10% is allowed.

Running a red light is punishable with a €250 fine and a driving ban of between three and 12 months. If the offence causes danger or leads to a traffic accident, criminal proceedings may also be initiated.

The system will automatically identify vehicles with expired registration or invalid vehicle permits. In such cases, the driver will be fined €100, while the vehicle owner will face a €250 fine if they are not the same person.

Since the introduction of the Safe City system, the situation appears to have improved. Instances of aggressive driving have declined, traffic speeds have slowed, and compliance with the 50 km/h urban speed limit has increased. The streets now appear calmer, suggesting a gradual improvement in traffic culture.

Still, violations have continued, according to the initial results of the Safe City project. On February 3 alone, 650 traffic violations were recorded across the system, including 36 red-light infractions, 590 instances of speeding, and 24 cases of unregistered vehicles, the press office of the interior ministry told bne IntelliNews in a written statement.

Additionally, the ministry issued 61 driving bans. “We appeal to all traffic participants to respect traffic rules and regulations and contribute to safe traffic on the territory of the entire country,” the ministry stated.

During the testing phase, the smart cameras detected approximately 120,000 violations, but now the daily number of recorded violations has stabilised at around 600 per day, indicating a growing awareness and compliance among drivers.

The system currently operates in Skopje, Kumanovo, Tetovo, as well as along Pan-European corridors VIII and X, with plans to expand nationwide in 2026, according to the ministry.

Local residents have already noticed changes. “I support the project in order to improve the traffic security in Skopje,” Marko, a 31-one year old Skopje resident, told bne IntelliNews.

Elena, another citizen, remarked, “I thought at first that the project was only about fines, but now I see that traffic has improved. Drivers are more disciplined. I don’t see fast motorbike drives driving crazy on the streets.”

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski also weighed in, praising the public for adhering to the new system. “The number of violations specifically in Skopje is lower than if there were an organised action by the Ministry of Interior,” he said.

Mickoski explained that on a typical day without the Safe City system, officers would record between 300 and 500 violations, while organised traffic enforcement previously captured around 1,000-1,200 violations.

“Now, with this smart system, drivers really respect traffic rules. The number of accidents has been halved, and there have been no fatalities since the beginning of February. The biggest benefit is for the citizens and drivers themselves,” he noted, adding that similar trends are observed in Tetovo and Kumanovo.

Roma community protests highlight tensions over Safe City rollout

The prime minister also addressed concerns about protests and illegal driving. Recent demonstrations by citizens, particularly in Roma communities, protested fines and confiscation of vehicles for driving without a valid license. Mickoski was firm in his stance: “Rampage or anything that endangers the lives of others or destroys state property will not be tolerated.”

While public support for the project in Skopje is generally strong, the rollout has also triggered controversy. Members of the Roma community have staged protests, arguing that many residents cannot afford driving tests or vehicle registration.

Roma settlements staged roadblocks in several cities in North Macedonia, and on the main road from Bitola to Prespa, claiming discrimination because many Roma residents had not completed the necessary education to obtain a driver’s license.

They warned that if the measure is not withdrawn they would continue protesting every day and that the unrest could spread across the country.

The prime minister underlined that peaceful and democratic protest is a legitimate right, but rejected demands to allow people to drive without a valid licence. “Some are saying they want to operate vehicles without a legal driving licence. That is simply not possible,” he stressed.

Minister of Interior Pance Toskovski explained how sanctions will be applied under the Safe City system, particularly for multiple violations.

“The legal framework provides clear mechanisms for sanctioning. Serious speeding violations, for example, will trigger stricter consequences. If a driver exceeds the speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour and reaches over 90 km/h, a driving ban is imposed,” Toskovski said during a televised interview. He also stressed that voluntary payment of fines is available for less severe offences.

Despite initial resistance, the authorities remain confident that the Safe City system will enhance road safety and reduce fatalities. The strategy represents a shift from reactive policing to preventive monitoring, leveraging technology to encourage responsible driving. The Ministry of Interior has already reported that the system has contributed to more disciplined traffic behaviour, especially in cities where violations have decreased significantly.

While the protests highlight social challenges, government officials insist that road safety cannot be compromised. “The law states that to drive a passenger vehicle, you must have a valid driving license. If you do not have one, you will not drive. If you drive without a valid document, you will be held accountable,” Mickoski concluded.

As the Safe City system expands throughout 2026, authorities hope to see further reductions in accidents and violations, contributing to the ultimate goal of zero road fatalities by 2050.

In the meantime, the project is already reshaping traffic behaviour in urban areas, proving that technology, enforcement, and public awareness can work hand in hand to save lives.