New penalty points for drivers: Ukraine introduces a system of penalties instead of warnings

Ukraine is developing a new system of penalties for drivers that will include penalty points awarded for each violation of traffic rules. If a driver exceeds the permissible number of points, his driver’s license will be automatically revoked without a trial, said Volodymyr Kreydenko, deputy chairman of the parliamentary transport committee.

According to Kreydenko, the initiative is designed to reduce the accident rate and to force drivers to take the rules seriously. “We want drivers to realize that running a red light is not just a fine, but an opportunity to lose their license,” he noted.

It is assumed that experienced drivers will receive 12 points per year, while beginners will receive only 8. The system will operate according to European standards: a set number of points will be awarded for each violation, and if the limit is exceeded, the driver will automatically lose their license.

Points will be awarded for the following violations:

1 point for not wearing a seat belt or transporting children without a car seat;

2 points for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h or running a red light;

5 points for exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more, or creating an emergency.

Suppose the point limit is exceeded within a year. In that case, the license will be automatically revoked without a trial, and to regain it, drivers will need to undergo retraining and pass an exam.

The parliamentarians note that a similar system is already used in many EU countries, where it has helped reduce the number of road accidents. In Ukraine, according to official statistics, thousands of accidents involving speeding and other serious violations are recorded annually.

Kreidenko also emphasized that the reform should become “a signal to drivers who believe that they can avoid responsibility by paying fines.” “Now on the road, drivers have to think not only about money, but also about their points,” he summed up.

We will remind you that earlier, there was news that Ukrainian drivers could obtain a new category of driver’s license under easier conditions, as well as that the rules for selling cars in the country were being tightened.