If you’ve spent any time navigating the streets of Cluj-Napoca, you’ve likely noticed the free-for-all culture taking over our roads. Reckless drivers treat speed limits as suggestions, motorcyclists commandeer sidewalks, and red-light runners seem to be in a competition of their own. I wrote about this in another article just last month, which you can find here. If you haven't read that article, then I'd recommend you read that first before finishing this one, as it will all make a lot more sense by the end of it.
But just as it felt like the brakes were failing on road safety, a surprising announcement from Romanian Police has shifted gears.
Fixed Speed Cameras: A New Era of Accountability
On January 5th, the Romanian Police introduced the first fixed speed cameras on major roads across the country, marking a significant step toward curbing dangerous driving habits. Strategically placed on high-traffic routes like the A1 Bucharest-Pitești, A2 Bucharest-Constanța, and DN2 in Vrancea, these cameras are already in action. Cluj County isn’t left out, with cameras installed in Mihai Viteazu, Gilău, Vâlcele, and Jucu.
This initiative is part of the newly launched e-SIGUR system, which was initially described in Law 383/2022 on December 30th 2022. It's designed to streamline traffic enforcement and increase road safety. Here’s how it works:
- Mobile cameras, often referred to as radar guns, are set up along roads to monitor traffic activity in real-time.
- Recorded violations are analysed by officers, who identify offenders and issue fines.
- Fines are then sent directly to the driver’s home without requiring an on-the-spot stop by police, significantly reducing delays and potential confrontations.
While the system is currently active on select roads, including the A1, A2, and DN2, plans for nationwide expansion are already in motion. According to Romanian Police, this measure aims to improve safety on public roads and encourage responsible driving.
“Condu responsabil!” (Drive responsibly), the Romanian Police urged in their announcement, reminding drivers that road safety begins with following traffic rules. This long-overdue measure has the potential to not only rein in speeding but also address the broader culture of reckless driving that has plagued Romania’s roads for years.
As the system expands, many hope it will usher in a new era of accountability, fostering safer travel for all road users.
Meanwhile, in Cluj-Napoca…
This national initiative couldn’t have come at a better time for Cluj-Napoca, where road safety has been a hot topic since the December “Meet the Mayor” event. During the event, I addressed growing concerns over reckless driving in the city, calling for measures like red-light cameras and active road policing. The response that I received was that the Constitutional Court of Romania believes that due to GDPR, it has not been possible to implement technology-driven solutions for combating some of this behaviour. While Cluj continues to struggle with a culture of lax enforcement, the timing of this announcement adds a glimmer of hope.
What makes these fixed speed cameras particularly promising is their alignment with the solutions I proposed at the event: smarter enforcement, backed by technology. While it’s unclear if there’s any connection between these developments and the broader public dialogue, one thing is certain—change is finally happening.
Red Lights, Motorbikes, and the Urban Jungle
The problems in Cluj-Napoca extend far beyond speeding. Cycle lanes double as parking spaces, motorbikes dart across sidewalks, and intersections become drag strips after dark. While the national rollouts are a major win, Cluj’s urban streets remain a dangerous playground for those who refuse to follow the rules.
Following the December event, I raised concerns about the city’s interpretation of GDPR as a barrier to implementing enforcement cameras, a claim that falls apart under scrutiny. If these cameras can work seamlessly in other EU countries, why not here? It’s a question that will likely take centre stage during the dedicated debate on road safety which was a direct response to the raising of this topic at the Meet the Mayor event. This is penciled to be scheduled for February.
A Perfect Storm for Progress
The rollout of fixed speed cameras on national roads is a step in the right direction, and the February debate presents an opportunity to push for similar measures within city limits. Cluj-Napoca, as a self-proclaimed “smart city,” has all the potential to lead the charge in urban road safety.
Whether the changes announced this week were coincidental or the result of growing public pressure, they underscore the need for continued dialogue and action. If nothing else, they prove that solutions are possible—even in a country where resistance to enforcement has historically been strong.
What’s Next?
As these cameras start issuing their first fines, the conversation in Cluj-Napoca is heating up. Will we see these measures expanded into the city’s chaotic streets? Or will we continue to navigate a maze of dangerous shortcuts and ignored red lights? The February debate will be crucial in answering these questions, and I’m ready to advocate for the changes our city so desperately needs.
For now, the roads remain a battleground, but there’s hope that change is finally on the horizon. Let’s keep the momentum going—because the race for safer streets isn’t over yet.
