Ukrainian Parliament Considers Introducing a Demerit Point System for Drivers

Proposal to Stiffen Penalties for Traffic Violations

According to Главком: A new initiative in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada aims to tighten accountability for traffic rule infractions and establish a penalty point system for motorists. The bill, numbered 14133, was introduced last year by lawmaker Volodymyr Kreydenko of the 'Servant of the People' party. Co-authors include Anton Shvachko and Oksana Savchuk. Currently, the draft law is under review by the parliamentary committee on law enforcement activities and has not yet been scheduled for a vote in the session hall.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Bill No. 14133 proposes assigning between 1 and 5 demerit points, depending on the severity of the offense. Examples include:

• 1 point for driving without a seatbelt, violating child transport rules, or failing to comply with vehicle registration requirements;
• 5 points for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h, creating an emergency situation, or improperly crossing railway crossings.

Kreydenko also advocates penalizing speeding by just 10 km/h over the limit, whereas current law only triggers fines for exceeding the limit by 20 km/h or more. The fine for speeding would be 340 hryvnias. Kreydenko noted that

“when the fine for speeding is only 340 hryvnias, you are essentially buying a subscription to break the law.”

He emphasized that

“whether you never break traffic rules or do so systematically, there is no real threat of losing your driver’s license.”

Kreydenko also pointed to examples from other countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, where habitual traffic offenders face high fines and accumulating penalty points. In Germany, for instance, a driver loses their license after accumulating 15 points within 365 days. 'The same standards should apply here,' Kreydenko said.

According to available data, 60-70% of Ukrainians either do not violate traffic rules or commit only minor infractions, suggesting that the new measures would not affect those who consistently follow the law. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has announced preparations for legislative changes targeting repeat traffic offenders.

Ukraine already has a driver’s personal account feature in the 'Diia' app, which could simplify the implementation of a points system. Kreydenko is confident that with political will, the demerit point system could be rolled out within a month, potentially reducing road accidents and saving lives. 'As soon as Klymenko develops a bill or supports mine, only then will progress begin on regulating this situation,' he stated.

Overall, Kreydenko’s proposals and those from the Interior Ministry overlap, highlighting the urgency of improving road safety in Ukraine.

The proposed legal changes could significantly transform how traffic rule compliance is monitored in Ukraine. Many European countries already use demerit point systems, and introducing one in Ukraine could be a key step toward lowering accident rates. Given the high level of traffic violations, these initiatives may also foster greater driver responsibility and improve overall driving culture across the country.

As the Ukrainian Parliament deliberates on the proposed demerit point system, it's essential to consider how these changes might align with other reforms aimed at traffic regulation. Recently, there have been discussions about implementing graded penalties for speeding offenses, which could complement the new initiative by ensuring that all traffic violations are met with appropriate consequences. This comprehensive approach could potentially enhance road safety and driver accountability throughout the country.