Sutaj Estok: Slovak Traffic Police Receive 20 New 'Mobile Office' Vans

Bratislava, 18 July (TASR) – Traffic police units across Slovakia received additional 20 new Mercedes Benz Vito vans on Friday, expanding their fleet of so-called mobile field offices used for documenting road accidents, with the first batch of 20 vehicles delivered already in April, the Interior Ministry’s press department informed TASR on Friday. The all-wheel-drive vans feature powerful 140 kW turbodiesel engines, automatic transmissions, reinforced rear axles, and specialized lighting and radio equipment. Each van costs €105,476.98 including VAT, covering the base vehicle (€68,068.99), installation of specialized equipment (€36,116.49), and police markings (€1,291.50). The contract also includes a six-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty and service plan, which the ministry says will significantly reduce operating costs. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) noted that no automaker in Slovakia currently produces vehicles meeting the traffic police’s specifications. „We’ve procured reliable, well-equipped vehicles that meet demanding standards for performance, safety, comfort, and efficiency. That’s why — even during a time of fiscal consolidation — we’re going ahead with these purchases, even if some people disapprove,” he stated. In addition to the mobile offices, the ministry has also purchased 55 Kia Ceed vehicles for operational field use and 90 Skoda Kodiaq vehicles, which were delivered ahead of the recent under-21 football championship. mf