Up to 15 Years Without a Licence and Tougher Sentences: How Ukraine Proposes to Change Punishment for Fatal Road Accidents

Every year in Ukraine, thousands of road traffic accidents end in injuries or loss of life. Speeding remains one of the most common causes of such crashes. That is why the Verkhovna Rada is proposing a substantial overhaul of drivers’ liability: higher fines, a lower permissible speeding margin and significantly tougher punishment for fatal road accidents.

These changes are set out in alternative draft law No. 15348-1, which has already been registered in parliament.

Speed under special scrutiny

Today, Ukrainian drivers are used to the so-called “impunity threshold”. In practice, administrative liability for speeding arises only when a driver exceeds the set limit by more than 20 km/h. This is the approach currently enshrined in Article 122 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences (CUAO).

The authors of the draft law propose changing this system. The document provides for a separate Article 122-6 of the CUAO, which would govern liability for speeding exclusively. At the same time, it proposes lowering the “impunity threshold” to 10 km/h.

The initiators explain this as an effort to bring Ukrainian legislation closer to European standards, since in most EU countries the permissible speeding margin is considerably smaller.

Fines will grow

The draft law proposes a differentiated system of liability depending on how far the driver exceeded the speed limit.

In particular, the fines could be:

• UAH 680 — for exceeding the limit by more than 20 km/h;
• UAH 2,040 — by more than 40 km/h;
• UAH 2,720 — by more than 60 km/h;
• UAH 3,400 — by more than 80 km/h.

The most tangible changes, however, concern those who disregard the rules systematically.

If a driver exceeds the speed limit by more than 40 km/h four or more times within a year, they could face a fine of UAH 17,000. For the next similar offence within a year, the draft proposes not only a repeated fine but also disqualification from driving for a period of six months to one year.

Not just speed

The document also provides for tougher liability for repeated violations of other traffic rules. This concerns running a red light, violating the rules for passing pedestrian crossings, intersections or overtaking, and failing to give way to pedestrians.

For a repeated violation within a year, a fine of UAH 3,400 is proposed. If a driver commits a similar violation for the third time, the fine would rise to UAH 5,100, and the court would be able to disqualify them from driving for a period of six months to one year.

The most significant changes — for those responsible for fatal accidents

The greatest public response may come from the changes to Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which establishes liability for traffic rule violations that cause grave consequences.

Today, the court may impose an additional penalty of disqualification from driving. The draft law proposes making it mandatory.

If an accident results in a person’s death or grievous bodily harm, alongside a custodial sentence the court would also be required to disqualify the driver from driving for a period of three to eight years.

If several people die in the accident, this period could rise to 8–12 years.

Separately, the authors of the draft law propose establishing liability for repeat offences of this kind. If a driver violates traffic rules again and this results in a person’s death, they could face 8 to 12 years of imprisonment and the loss of their driving licence for a period of 12 to 15 years.

Draft law No. 15348-1 has only been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. Ahead lie consideration by the relevant committee, a vote by members of parliament, the President’s signature and official publication.

For now, therefore, the current provisions of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code of Ukraine remain in force. At the same time, the very appearance of such a draft law signals lawmakers’ intention to substantially toughen liability for dangerous behaviour on the roads and to focus not only on fines but also on long-term disqualification from driving for drivers whose violations lead to the most tragic consequences.