Starting January 1, traffic enforcement in Albania is set to enter a new phase. Smart radars and advanced monitoring equipment will be activated along the country’s major road segments to automatically identify and log traffic violations.

Following the installation of this equipment on several high-traffic roads, work is now underway to set up the necessary infrastructure for the system to go live. Sources indicate that training has begun for a select group of State Police personnel who will monitor and analyze radar data from the Traffic Monitoring Center. This marks a shift to a new operational model where technology detects traffic violations, reducing the need for constant field patrols. From the command center, officers will be able to track vehicle movements in real time and verify violations flagged by the intelligent systems.

Although primarily focused on speeding, the monitoring system will also detect other traffic violations. /m.q/r.e/a.f/p.s./

The event brought together sports enthusiasts of all ages to tackle the triathlon disciplines in one of Tirana’s most scenic natural settings. A total of 140 athletes registered for this edition, with 116 taking part in the competition—marking the highest turnout in the event’s six-year history.

The morning event followed a designated course around Farka Lake, fostering a dynamic sporting environment while promoting active, healthy lifestyles. This year’s competition featured two primary categories: The Sprint distance (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run) and the Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run), with relay options also available.

To ensure the safety of participants and a smooth event, the Municipality of Tirana, in coordination with the Municipal and State Police, implemented a temporary traffic management plan, restricting vehicle access in the area today, from 08:00 to 13:00. /p.s./

In this context, 3 drivers faced criminal charges for dangerous driving. 24 driver’s licenses were suspended. And 1,383 fines were issued for breaking traffic rules.

Police said it will keep using advanced tools on all city, suburban and rural roads to keep drivers safe.

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To handle the heavy traffic, the Kapshtica Customs Branch is operating round-the-clock to keep passenger and vehicle traffic moving smoothly in both directions.

Albanian Customs reported heavy traffic at the southern Qafë Bota border crossing, causing long wait times during peak hours. Travel volume has risen in both directions, affecting drivers and passengers entering Albania as well as those heading toward Greece.

Heavy summer travel continues at all customs points. The Qafë Botë border recorded 10,000 entries and exits in the past 24 hours alone. / e.xh/j.p/p.s./

Albanian embassies are working with regional authorities to speed up border crossings and cut waiting times, said the ministry.

According to the ministry, summer traffic on this route hits 300,000 citizens, straining local roads and border staff at peak times. However, the Ministry pledges to keep working with authorities on practical fixes to ease travel—until the Schengen area finally expands to our region.

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The road had been closed following a slope collapse, disrupting movement between the two towns.

According to the Road Authority, vehicles are now being diverted through a temporary bypass built adjacent to the previous road alignment. The diversion will remain in use until completion of a permanent alternative route, already made public, which runs along the bed of the Shkumbin river and is integrated with the railway embankment.

The segment will operate with temporary construction signage and will remain unpaved until ground layers are stabilised, after which final asphalt surfacing will be carried out.

The Road Authority urged drivers and local residents to follow traffic signs and instructions from road police to ensure safe circulation.

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Thus, in some road segments, the vehicles move in chains like in Vermosh-Dogana branch, Surel-Qafë Priskë-Qafë Mollë-Trau-Teleferik, Krujë-Sarisalltik, as well as in Qafë Mali-Fierzë.

Meanwhile, there are reported problems along Qafë Thore-Theth road, where the road is blocked as a result of avalanches as well as in Petrani Bridge area, where there have been active massive landslides.

Albanian Road Authority said that the contractor companies are on the ground with additional vehicles and workers, to clean and keep the road open, in order to guarantee normal traffic and avoid problems for road users.

The drivers are advised to show increased caution while traveling, to respect road signs and to use winter tires and chains, especially when moving towards mountainous areas where there is snow. /p.s./

Road Authority said overnight temperatures dropped to extreme lows in several areas, reaching minus 18 degrees Celsius in Valbona, minus 13 degrees in Kukes-Shishtavec and minus 8 degrees in the Theth area.

On the Klos-Burrel road, northeastern Albania, landslides were reported, but road maintenance teams intervened immediately with heavy machinery to clear debris and restore traffic, the Authority said.

ARRSH said contractors had been working around the clock with equipment and personnel to clear roads, remove snow and spread salt to prevent ice formation and ensure road safety.

The Road Authority urged drivers to comply with traffic rules and to use winter tyres and snow chains, which are mandatory in mountainous areas and on road segments where snow and icy conditions have been reported.

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The Shkodra Prefecture said on Saturday that work is under way to assess the damage and restore traffic.

Snowploughs worked throughout the night to keep the Qafë Thore–Theth road open, a key access route to the mountainous tourist area.

In the municipality of Malësi e Madhe, three snowploughs are operating along the Tamarë–Vermosh road, where icy conditions have been reported. Crews are salting and maintaining the roadway to ensure continued traffic flow.

In Vau i Dejës municipality, rainfall has eased, though temporary power outages were reported in several administrative units. Repair teams are on site.

In Fushë-Arrëz, heavy rain continues, causing rock and soil falls on rural roads. Authorities said all routes remain passable and traffic is moving normally.

In Pukë, rain and strong winds persist, but no disruptions have been reported so far.

In Lezhë, about 85 mm of rainfall was recorded over the past 24 hours. Drainage channels, embankments and the Shkodra Reservoir dam remain unaffected, while water levels in the Buna, Drin, Kir and Gjadër rivers, as well as the Shkodra Reservoir, are below flood-risk thresholds.

Pumping stations in Velipojë (Vilun and Ças) are fully operational and on standby to operate at full capacity if required.

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This year, Albania had snowfall earlier than during the previous years, but the Albanian Road Authority and the companies contracted for road maintenance have intervened immediately to guarantee safe traffic along the national roads.

Despite the fact that the official winter maintenance season starts on November 15, the relevant work teams have been on the ground since the early hours of this morning in the areas where there has been snowfall on Zapodi bridge–Shishtavec and in Theth.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku praised the timely response of the Road Authority structures and stressed that readiness will continue without interruption to respond to any possible situation.

“The first snow occurred early this year. The National Road Safety Agency and road maintenance companies were fully prepared, despite the fact that winter maintenance period starts on November 15 according to the regulation. Snow removal vehicles and teams of workers have been on the ground since the early hours of today on the Zapodi Bridge–Shishtavec road and in Theth. Traffic continues normally along all national roads”, emphasized Balluku.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy called on citizens for more caution from drivers, especially in mountainous areas, and recalls that national roads are under constant monitoring to guarantee road safety and smooth traffic. /r.e/p.s./