On the 24th of February, 2024, a video surfaced on Facebook, capturing a van with Sameday branding as it ran a red light at the Piața Avram Iancu intersection.
The signal had been red for a handful of seconds, and cars directed towards Calea Dorobanţilor had begun to proceed when the van, approaching from Piața Ștefan cel Mare, came dangerously close to a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was compelled to brake suddenly to avoid being hit by the van, potentially preventing a serious accident.
The driver’s actions showed a clear indifference to the safety of the road and others’ lives. This incident contributes to a pressing concern in Romania, which, as highlighted in a recent article, leads EU countries in road fatality rates per million inhabitants.
There is debate over whether the punishment of a 30-day license suspension is an adequate deterrent. Some believe that, along with the suspension, there should be additional financial penalties for the individuals and companies involved, or, in severe cases, immediate revocation of the driver’s license.
Following is a translated version of the notification sent by the local authorities to the person who filed the report:
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
GENERAL INSPECTORATE OF THE ROMANIAN POLICE
INSPECTORATE OF COUNTY POLICE CLUJ
CLUJ-NAPOCA MUNICIPAL POLICE TRAFFIC BUREAUTo: [REDACTED]
Regarding your complaint, received via electronic mail at this police subunit, about the traffic event that occurred on February 24, 2024, in Avram Iancu Square in Cluj-Napoca, we communicate the following:
After reviewing the video images captured by the surveillance cameras of Cluj-Napoca City Hall, we confirm the aspects mentioned in your petition. The driver of the vehicle with the license plate CJ-[REDACTED] has been identified and called to the headquarters of the Traffic Police Cluj.
On this occasion, the driver was penalised according to the provisions of Article 100/3/d of the OUG 195/2002, and in addition to the main sanction, the driving license was suspended for a period of 30 days for driving on public roads.
Also, we inform you that the Traffic Bureau workers within the Cluj-Napoca Municipal Police operate daily to impose a climate of traffic safety, with the purpose of preventing the occurrence of unwanted events.
We thank you for the trust shown and assure you of our full availability to solve aspects which, according to the competency, fall under our institution.
Yours sincerely,
CHIEF OF CLUJ-NAPOCA MUNICIPAL POLICE
Nr. RS/863.403 / BSC din 27.02.2024
