Numerous officials and public figures have complained to Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski that they received fines via the “Safe City” system—a fact he views as confirmation that the system is working and that no one can evade sanctions due to their position.

“Many—you have no idea how many—have told me: ministers, directors, even religious figures from various faiths, and so on. There is hardly any level from which I haven’t heard someone say, ‘Minister, it’s actually working; I got a fine and I paid it,’” Toshkovski stated today. The system is fully automatic and there is no human factor involved that could help plugged in officials to avoid the fines.

The Minister noted that he himself had received and paid a fine, emphasizing that the system applies to everyone, regardless of the position they hold. At today’s press conference, Toshkovski also announced that the Ministry of Interior plans to expand the “Safe City” project by introducing mobile speed-monitoring cameras, as well as devices installed in police vehicles capable of detecting traffic violations while the vehicles are in motion.

He pointed out that analyses conducted so far indicate that placing cameras only at fixed, predetermined locations does not provide a sufficient preventive effect. The goal is for drivers to be aware that they can be caught if they break traffic rules, no matter where they are driving.