DPM Aleksa Bečić and Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović hold a press conference

Following the 113th Cabinet session, a press conference was held regarding the adoption of the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Road Traffic Safety.

Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinator of the Bureau for Operational Coordination Aleksa Bečić and Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović addressed the public. The conference was also attended by Acting Assistant Director for the General Police Sector Dragan Gorović and Head of the Road Traffic Safety Department Ilija Janjušević.

Deputy Prime Minister Bečić emphasised that this is an extremely important and sensitive area, given that traffic accidents represent one of the leading categories of non-natural causes of death. He underlined that improving traffic safety forms part of a broader reform cycle implemented by the Government since the beginning of its mandate, through strengthening the normative framework, intensifying preventive and repressive activities, modernising police operations and upgrading road infrastructure.

Particular attention was drawn to the increased activities of the Police Directorate in traffic control: the number of arrests for the most serious traffic offences has continuously increased – from approximately 4,200 arrests in 2022, around 4,500 in 2023, about 5,500 in 2024, to as many as approximately 7,500 arrests for road traffic safety offences in 2025. Furthermore, the number of driver tests for psychoactive substances in 2025 is three times higher compared to the previous year.

Key novelties of the Draft Law include: introduction of the category of young drivers (18–21 years of age), with a ban on driving between 00:00 and 05:00 hours and a prohibition on operating vehicles exceeding 80 kW, except in the presence of an experienced driver with at least five years of driving experience.

For the first time, regulation of light electric vehicles (electric scooters), including clear usage rules, a ban for persons under 16 years of age and sanctions for parents. Introduction of temporary vehicle seizure measures for drivers who repeatedly commit the most serious offences, as well as establishment of a unified information system for vehicle technical inspections.

Expansion of municipal police competences, particularly regarding illegal parking and stopping, in response to requests from local self-governments. Strengthening of penal policy with the aim of enhancing general prevention, said DPM Bečić.

Director of the Police Directorate Šćepanović stated that the amendments represent a systemic response of the state to long-standing challenges in road traffic safety and that safety is no longer viewed exclusively through the driver–vehicle–road relationship, but as a result of strategic responsibility and institutional determination.

He noted that analysis shows approximately 90% of sanctioned drivers are repeat offenders, which constituted a strong argument for introducing stricter measures, including temporary vehicle seizure and increased fines.

Particular emphasis was placed on the introduction of average speed control, enabling sanctioning of speeding across designated road sections regardless of attempts to evade responsibility between two control points.

Šćepanović also announced continued modernisation of the Police Directorate: installation of the first stationary digital radars is planned this year, while 250 new vehicles, as well as significant equipment, uniforms and armaments for the Special Task Police Units, were procured over the past two years.

It was concluded that the Draft Law represents a significant step towards European standards in the field of road traffic safety and, following adoption by the Parliament of Montenegro, will create conditions for raising safety culture and reducing traffic accidents and their most severe consequences.