The Environmental Guard fined the organizers of the drifting competition for the pollution caused in central Bucharest

The National Environmental Guard fined the organizer of the fifth round of the National Drift Championship 15,000 lei after the competition held in central Bucharest generated noise, smoke, exhaust fumes and particles from tire wear.

The event took place on October 3 and 4 in Constitution Square, on Liberty Boulevard and on part of United Nations Boulevard. Although the competition had been authorized, Environmental Guard inspectors intervened following reports from Bucharest residents. The smoke persisted in the United Nations Boulevard area and was carried by air currents toward Izvor Park.

The sanction was imposed on the Romanian Drift Community Sports Club Association because it had allegedly failed to take all the necessary measures to limit pollutant emissions. During the inspection on October 5, the road surface had been cleaned and washed, and the waste had been removed.

Interim Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu subsequently called for a broader discussion about air quality in the capital. She also requested that a state of alert be declared in Bucharest and Ilfov, amid illegal waste burning in Sintești, as well as permanent monitoring of the four access routes to the area.