The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is considering a draft law aimed at significantly increasing the liability of drivers who systematically violate traffic rules. The main focus is on ignoring a yellow traffic light signal, for which drivers can be disqualified for a period of six months to one year. This initiative is a response to the alarming statistics that show an increase in road deaths due to speeding and pedestrian crossing violations.
Every year in Ukraine, thousands of cases of violation of traffic rules are recorded, which leads to numerous traffic accidents (traffic accidents) and high mortality. According to the Department of Patrol Police, in 2023, more than 3,000 people were killed in accidents, and almost 30,000 were injured in various degrees of severity. More than half of the fatal traffic accidents were caused by speeding.
Proposed measures under the new draft law include:
- Penalties for repeated violations — drivers who, within a year, violate traffic rules or traffic lights again, will be required to pay a fine of 60 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens.
- Deprivation of rights - for drivers who systematically violate the rules, there is an increase in the fine to 150 tax-free minimums, as well as deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 6 months to one year.
In addition, not only the police, but also representatives of the military road safety inspection will receive the authority to impose fines and revoke driving licenses. These changes are intended to reduce the number of gross and systematic violations of traffic rules and, in the future, to reduce the level of mortality and injuries on Ukrainian roads.
Today, the death rate in road accidents in Ukraine is 97 cases per million population, which is significantly higher than the average in the countries of the European Union. The adoption of this draft law can be an important step in the direction of increasing safety on Ukrainian roads.
