Serbia is preparing a significantly stricter traffic safety framework that would introduce some of the toughest road regulations in the region, with authorities announcing major increases in fines, stricter sanctions for repeat offenders, and new technological monitoring mechanisms aimed at improving road safety. The proposed changes are expected to become part of a new traffic safety law that Serbian officials have been preparing for implementation from 2026 onward. According to the announced measures, penalties for numerous traffic violations would rise sharply because authorities believe the existing fines have lost their preventive effect. Officials from the Serbian traffic police stated that fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 dinars are no longer considered effective deterrents, leading to plans for substantial increases across multiple categories of offenses.
Among the most discussed changes are stricter punishments for driving under the influence of alcohol and psychoactive substances. The new proposals include zero tolerance for alcohol in certain situations, the introduction of alcohol-lock systems that would prevent vehicles from starting without prior testing, and permanent confiscation of vehicles in cases involving repeated serious violations. Authorities are also considering lifetime driving bans for drivers repeatedly convicted of severe traffic offenses, particularly those involving alcohol or narcotics. According to the proposals presented publicly, drivers who receive two final convictions for the gravest violations could permanently lose both their driving licenses and their vehicles.
The proposed law also foresees dramatically higher financial penalties for everyday violations. Serbian officials announced that offenses currently punished with fines of around 10,000 dinars could soon carry penalties of 20,000 dinars or more, while certain “lighter” offenses could reach fines of up to 50,000 dinars. One of the most drastic examples concerns failure to wear a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device, where fines could increase from 10,000 to 50,000 dinars. Authorities are additionally considering holding drivers responsible for passengers not wearing seatbelts inside the vehicle. Other violations expected to receive harsher punishment include excessive speeding, unsafe distance between vehicles, and loud music inside cars that prevents drivers from hearing surrounding traffic conditions.
Another major novelty being discussed is a system in which fines could be determined according to the offender’s income level. Serbian officials and traffic safety experts have publicly discussed the possibility of introducing penalties proportionate to drivers’ salaries, arguing that equal fines do not have the same impact on citizens with different income levels. If adopted, the model would represent a major change in Serbian traffic legislation and align the country with practices used in several European states.
The draft proposals also include a series of technological and surveillance-oriented measures. Serbian authorities are considering introducing mandatory dashboard cameras in certain categories of vehicles, especially commercial transport, school buses, and official vehicles, in order to improve accident investigations and responsibility assessments. Citizens have additionally proposed a mobile application through which traffic violations could be reported using photos or video evidence, while authorities are also examining the possibility of rewarding citizens who report serious violations. The Serbian Interior Ministry has already confirmed that it is reviewing the development of such a system.
Repeat offenders would face especially severe treatment under the planned rules. Authorities are considering abolishing the possibility of paying only half of a fine within eight days for drivers who repeatedly commit offenses. Traffic police representatives also announced that drivers committing a third or fourth violation could automatically receive fines increased by 50 percent. Additional focus is being placed on offenses involving children inside vehicles, particularly unsafe child transport and other violations committed while minors are passengers.
The proposed reforms also target other categories of risky behavior in traffic. Serbian officials are discussing penalties for excessively slow driving, arguing that unnecessarily slow movement can provoke dangerous overtaking and increase accident risks. New sanctions are also being considered for cargo transport violations and improperly secured loads on trucks. At the same time, authorities have indicated that the broader goal of the reform package is to reduce fatal accidents, improve discipline in traffic, and align Serbian road safety regulations more closely with European standards and practices.
