Strengthening Penalties and New Measures for Traffic Violations in Ukraine
Ukraine is preparing to implement comprehensive updates to its traffic law enforcement framework, promising significant increases in penalties and a broader scope of violations that could result in license suspensions or vehicle confiscations.
First Deputy Head of the Patrol Police Department, Oleksiy Biloshytskyi, announced that new legislative initiatives are on the horizon aimed at toughening punishment for driving under the influence, repeated infractions, ignoring traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, as well as prohibited overtaking.
Fines for improper use of winter or all-season tires could reach up to 8,500 hryvnias, with possible license revocation in case of repeated offenses.Additionally, regulations for personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters, are expected to be introduced, including clear rules and associated responsibilities.
The threshold speed limit violation will be reduced from 20 to 10 km/h, accompanied by a graduated system of fines depending on the degree of speed excess.
Pedestrian reflective elements will become mandatory in low visibility conditions, and a points-based penalty system will be implemented for violations.In the realm of more severe violations, proposals include fines up to 17,000 hryvnias and license suspension for drifting, up to 34,000 hryvnias for noise violations, and up to 51,000 hryvnias for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with confiscation of vehicles possible.
Special attention is given to intoxicated driving during martial law, with mechanisms for vehicle confiscation to support Ukrainian armed forces.Recent data from OPENDATA shows that Ukrainians have increasingly neglected paying fines for traffic violations, with debts skyrocketing since the full-scale invasion, raising concerns about compliance and enforcement effectiveness.