Recent activities involving the Romanian police have shed light on the efforts being made to maintain public safety and enforce laws across various regions of the country. The events of the past few days have highlighted the police’s commitment to enhancing road safety, monitoring border crossings, and addressing illegal activities, underscoring their proactive approach to law enforcement.
Over the last 24 hours, the Romanian border police have facilitated the crossing of more than 222,100 individuals and around 68,400 vehicles at various border points. This extensive operation included processing entry formalities for 136,519 people coming from different countries, which included 40,249 means of transport. Notably, the border police have been vigilant concerning Ukrainian citizens, with 10,784,287 individuals having crossed the Romanian border since regulatory changes were implemented on February 10, 2022, allowing them to enter the country until December 15, 2024.
To aid travelers, Romanian authorities have introduced the Trafic online application, which provides real-time information about waiting times at open border points. Starting March 31, 2024, procedures at airports and seaports for travelers heading to the Schengen area will ease, but police will still coordinate efforts to verify identities and legal statuses to counteract potential illegal actions. Within the past day, over 5,200 checks were carried out with mobile terminals connected to relevant databases, ensuring comprehensive oversight.
Among the significant operations conducted, border police reported identifying 111 illegal acts, which included 27 criminal offenses and 84 contraventions, leading to fines totaling 81,980 lei. They also confiscated goods worth approximately 256,400 lei, aimed at protecting consumers from illegal products. The police prevented the entry of 20 foreign nationals who did not meet legal entry requirements, and turned back three Romanian citizens for legal reasons.
Meanwhile, significant repair work on the Friendship Bridge between Ruse and Giurgiu has led to altered traffic conditions. The repairs are expected to take place daily for extended hours, prompting authorities to recommend the usage of the Trafic online app to monitor wait times and explore other available border crossing points with Bulgaria. To mitigate congestion at the borders, police are enhancing control measures and collaborating with regional public safety institutions.
On another front, the Prahova County Police has been intensifying their operations to prevent traffic accidents and uphold public order during the last 72 hours. Police engaged various methods, including speed radars and roadside sobriety tests, to catch offenders. Their efforts yielded over 280 tests, with more than 450 vehicles having been pulled over for checks. From the conducted tests, the police issued over 250 fines amounting to nearly 100,300 lei.
The breakdown of the fines revealed significant violations, with 100 issued for exceeding speed limits, 22 for not wearing seatbelts, and 18 directed at cyclists. The police have acted decisively, removing eight drivers from the roads due to apparent hazards they posed and suspending their licenses for various violations. Notably, 10 vehicles were taken off the street due to safety concerns, pending necessary repairs.
These police efforts not only focus on traffic regulation but also on maintaining order and public safety during social events. They issued 20 contraventional sanctions under the Law of Social Norms, which involved personal checks and regular vigilance against minor offenses. The initiative reflects how the police continue to adapt their strategies to the dynamic needs of public safety.
Similarly, within the past 48 hours, police from Mehedinți conducted widespread operations intended to maintain public order and enforce traffic regulations. They assessed the sobriety of 167 drivers using specialized equipment and identified pre-existing warrants for certain individuals. A total of 366 sanctions were handed out totaling 158,785 lei due to traffic infractions ranging from speeding to not driving safely. This included removing 22 drivers deemed unsafe from public roads, along with 17 vehicles which were also deemed unfit for circulation, having their registration documents suspended until necessary corrections are made.
Specific cases are notable: police arrested a 36-year-old woman driving with expired registration plates, leading to criminal proceedings for operating an unregistered vehicle. Another example involved the arrest of a 40-year-old man who was driving with a suspended license; he was also subjected to sobriety testing, which confirmed he was under the legal limit. Such decisive actions from the police reflect their unwavering stance on traffic discipline.
These varied activities across Romania highlight the police’s relentless drive to safeguard public order, catch lawbreakers, and support the safe interstate travel needs of citizens. The continuous outreach and deployment of modern tools showcase their commitment to effective law enforcement, aiming to protect communities from unsafe practices and unexpected threats.