51,000 Ukrainian Drivers Broke Traffic Rules Over 10 Times in a Year — Roads Remain Deadly

Ukraine's parliament is set to consider two bills this week that could significantly change driver behavior across the country, targeting the chronic problem of speeding that makes Ukrainian roads among the most dangerous in Europe.

The Bills

The first bill (No. 15348) proposes to substantially increase fines for speeding violations. Currently, exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h carries a fine of 340 hryvnias. If passed, this fine would double to 680 hryvnias. For those exceeding the limit by 60 or 80 km/h, fines would reach 2,720 and 3,400 hryvnias respectively. Drivers caught speeding significantly at least 5 times within a year would face a 17,000 hryvnia penalty. The parliamentary committee on law enforcement has supported this bill.

Scale of the Problem

According to available data, 51,000 Ukrainian drivers broke traffic rules more than 10 times in a single year — a figure that highlights chronic disregard for road safety. High-speed driving remains a leading cause of road fatalities in Ukraine, where road deaths per capita significantly exceed European Union averages.