Following a tragedy in Kyiv that claimed four lives, the country's authorities are initiating significant legislative changes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Ukraine is preparing a package of measures aimed at combating drivers who systematically violate traffic rules. The main tool of pressure will not be a point system, but immediate sanctions for the accumulation of violations.

Mechanism of New Penalties

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that currently, law enforcement agencies do not have sufficient leverage to influence drivers who constantly exceed the speed limit and cause accidents. To address this issue, a mechanism is being considered that provides for automatic sanctions upon reaching a certain threshold of violations.

According to the head of the MIA, a scenario is being considered where, after the 10th violation related to speed, the driver will face serious consequences. Among the possible measures:

  • Confiscation of the driver's license;
  • Temporary restriction of the right to drive a vehicle;
  • Mandatory re-taking of exams to obtain a license.

Klymenko emphasized that when developing new rules, not only the number of violations but also their severity will be taken into account. Exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h is considered one violation, while exceeding it by 50–80 km/h is classified as a situation capable of leading to a tragedy.

Deadlines and Participants in Development

The issue of new safety measures will be considered by the law enforcement committee of the Verkhovna Rada as early as Wednesday. In addition, the MIA will hold separate meetings dedicated to road safety. The draft proposal is in the active preparation stage: the National Police, People's Deputies, lawyers, and relevant experts are working on it. It is expected that the draft document will be ready in the coming days.

The Minister noted that the introduction of a point system is not currently planned, as its implementation requires the creation of a large-scale digital infrastructure. In the short term, priority is given to simpler and more effective response mechanisms.

The Tragedy in Kyiv Became the Impetus for Reforms

The authorities' initiative was a direct response to a fatal car accident that occurred on June 5 in Kyiv. Around 17:30, a Mercedes traveling at high speed crashed into an underground pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Vadym Hetman and Ushynskyi streets. As a result of the accident, four people died: a 12-year-old boy, a woman, and two police officers.

On June 8, the court sent the 49-year-old Mercedes driver into custody for 60 days. The police had previously charged him with a crime. It turned out that the suspect had previously been held accountable for traffic violations, primarily for speeding. On the day of the tragedy, he was working as a taxi driver.

Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko previously confirmed that the government is preparing a complex of solutions to reduce the accident rate. These include strengthening liability for systematic violations, stricter sanctions for speeding, improving the system for recording violations, and legislative regulation of the use of light personal electric transport.