Previously, when smog-alert was announced, Gábor Demszky, ex-mayor of the capital prohibited simply the use of cars registered with odd numbers one day, while the traffic of even numbered cars was forbidden the other day.

Still, no improvement was noticed in the condition of air pollution in the city. Also, drivers were not informed properly about the significance of their cars’ environmental qualities. However, the sticker-system was introduced years ago; owners were unaware of the meaning of the color of their cars’ stickers. Blue and green stickers mark environmental-friendly vehicles, the owners of which now do not have to fear exclusion from the traffic of the capital.

Drivers of cars that are labeled with yellow, red, or black stickers are not so safe, because these colors represent environmentally harmless features of their cars. According to the new law, the traffic of cars with yellow, red, or black stickers should be banned in case of smog-alert.

Contravention of this rule would result in a fine of 100,000 Forints. Also, the mayor of Budapest will have the right to ask closing of petrol stations during the day, when air contamination will be declared having reached the critical stage. So, it seems that now more serious attempts have been made to solve the problem.

However, the law differentiates vehicles belonging to the everyday working of the city, such as vehicles of the public transport, governmental cars, taxis, ambulance cars, and so on.

These cars will have the right to take part in the traffic in case of smog-alert too, even if they are marked with yellow, red, or black stickers. LMP party is objecting the enforcement of the new law: Benedek Jávor claimed that the regulation would affect only 10% of the traffic, which would not result in significant reduction of air-pollution. Jobbik also refuted the introduction of this rule. Soon, István Tarlós will clarify whether the law will be enforced with alternations or with the present content.

Translated from Origo.hu for Andrea Siegel