The recent traffic law in Serbia has sparked a debate among experts regarding its approach to penalizing traffic violations relative to drivers' income.

While many agree with the underlying principle of linking fines to declared earnings, some, including Damir Okanović from the Traffic Safety Committee, have raised concerns about its practical application.

Okanović illustrated a potential issue by referencing a hypothetical situation in which a well-known celebrity, who drives an expensive vehicle valued at 100,000 euros yet is declared as earning the minimum wage, could evade significant penalties due to the law's structure.

He pointed out that such practices are common in countries with stringent tax systems, where it is uncommon to find individuals with substantial wealth reporting minimal income.

Furthermore, Okanović argued that penalties should also extend to road maintenance agencies.

He emphasized the need for stricter fines for those responsible for road upkeep, particularly during winter when failure to clear snow and ice can lead to serious accidents.

In conjunction with discussions on the new traffic law, the Serbian public has been invited to submit suggestions regarding traffic safety legislation via the email address ZOBS.PREDLOZI@ABS.GOV.RS. Okanović noted the significance of public input in modifying laws, mentioning that several measures included in the 2009 legislation stemmed from suggestions made by citizens.

In parallel developments, Serbian Parliament President Ana Brnabić addressed the necessity of adopting three media laws that align with European Union standards.

Brnabić outlined that the proposals, scheduled for discussion in a parliamentary session, have undergone extensive revisions over more than seven months to ensure compliance with European Commission guidelines.

Brnabić called for ongoing collaboration with media and journalist associations, emphasizing the importance of legislative updates to enhance Serbia's media landscape and move closer to the EU integration process.

She noted that these media laws are critical for opening Cluster 3 in Serbia's EU negotiations.

The two media law proposals currently undergoing parliamentary review include amendments to the Law on Public Information and Media as well as the Law on Public Media Services.

The proposed changes aim to enhance the transparency of public funding for media projects, improve the protection of journalists, and establish mechanisms to uphold professional integrity within media outlets.

Additionally, the amendments to the Law on Public Media Services are designed to ensure impartiality, independence, and a diversity of programming content that meets high ethical and international standards.

The objective is to reinforce the public interest in information dissemination while stabilizing the financing of public media services.

The proposed legislation mandates that public broadcasters such as RTS and RTV must align their operational regulations with the new law within six months of its enactment, reflecting a commitment to fulfilling societal communication needs.