Incident Involving Council Member Maksymchuk
A video posted on TikTok by Svitlana Maksymchuk, a member of the Kryvyi Rih City Council from the Servant of the People party, shows her 11-year-old daughter behind the wheel. The footage has sparked widespread public backlash due to clear violations of traffic laws and the fact that neither the child nor the council member was wearing a seatbelt. It is important to note that in Ukraine, the legal minimum age to obtain a driver's license for a passenger car is 18.
The clip clearly depicts the girl actively driving the vehicle, while both mother and daughter are unbelted. This has drawn sharp criticism from social media users, who have flooded the post with comments. One user remarked:
'This kind of “fun” isn’t about trust—it’s negligence that endangers the girl’s life, as well as the lives of pedestrians and other drivers.'
Legal Consequences
Handing over control of a vehicle to someone without a valid driver’s license violates Article 126 of the Ukrainian Code on Administrative Offenses. As of the time of this report, no official response from law enforcement regarding the incident has been issued. This case underscores the critical need for road safety compliance, especially when children are involved.
The Maksymchuk incident highlights a broader issue: the responsibility of public figures and their influence on societal norms. With road safety remaining a pressing concern, such cases could fuel discussions about stricter legislative measures to penalize traffic violations. The public is now closely watching for any law enforcement action and potential repercussions for the council member.
This incident not only raises concerns about the actions of public figures but also parallels other troubling events, such as the recent case of two students in Kyiv who stole a rental car and dismantled it for parts. Both situations highlight a worrying trend regarding road safety and the responsibilities that come with vehicle ownership and operation.