The Verkhovna Rada has been unable to pass important road safety laws for years: what changes are still waiting to be voted on?

Over the past five years, the Verkhovna Rada has not adopted a single bill that would significantly affect the reduction of accidents on Ukraine’s roads. Despite dozens of legislative initiatives, most of them have not yet been considered or remain without parliamentary support.

Road accidents claim thousands of lives

According to an expert, 12,295 people died in road accidents during the full-scale war.

The statistics regarding children are particularly alarming: if 677 children died as a result of Russian aggression, then 678 in road accidents.

According to Ilchuk, the lack of real changes is explained both by the poor quality of individual draft laws and the reluctance of deputies to support stricter rules of liability.

What bills are waiting for consideration
Increasing liability for speeding

One of the main initiatives is bill No. 15348, which proposes to increase fines:

over 20 km/h — 680 UAH;

over 40 km/h — 2,040 UAH;
over 60 km/h — 2,720 UAH;
over 80 km/h — 3,400 UAH.

For drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 60–80 km/h five or more times during the year, a fine of 17,000 UAH is proposed.

An alternative bill No. 15348-1 has also been registered, which proposes to fine drivers for exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h.

Separately, bill No. 11029 provides for the introduction of a system for monitoring average speed on certain sections of roads.

Penalty points for drivers

Bills No. 11386 and No. 14133 propose the introduction of a penalty point system similar to that in force in many European countries.

Another initiative, Bill No. 12172, provides for tougher penalties for repeated gross violations of traffic rules, including possible deprivation of the right to drive.

Combating drifting and loud exhaust

Bills No. 9564 and No. 15358 propose to establish fines from 8,500 to 34,000 hryvnias for excessive vehicle noise, as well as possible deprivation of driving licenses.

A separate bill No. 9642 is to ban drifting, but experts point out that the document does not contain a clear definition of this concept.

New rules for electric scooters

The parliament is also considering Bill No. 3023, which is to determine the rules for using electric scooters, as well as allow local authorities to establish territories where their movement will be limited or prohibited.

The document has already passed its first reading and is awaiting a final vote.

Drunk Driving

After the latest increase in liability in 2021, the parliament is considering bill No. 7382-2, which provides for even tougher sanctions for driving while intoxicated.

In addition to increasing fines, the document proposes to seize violators’ cars in favor of the state or the Defense Forces of Ukraine during martial law.

Which bills will be indicative

According to Mykola Ilchuk, it is the vote for bills No. 3023 on electric scooters and No. 15348 on increasing liability for speeding that will show how much the Verkhovna Rada is ready to really strengthen road safety in Ukraine.