Ukraine introduces 'graduated liability': how new bill No. 15348 will change rules for 'racers' and repeat offenders

New approach to penalties for speeding

In August 2026, the Ukrainian parliament is preparing the first reading of bill No. 15348, which radically changes the approach to driver liability for speeding. The initiative, announced by the Head of the Patrol Police Department of the National Police, Oleksiy Biloshytsky, aims to make punishment proportional to the level of danger created by the driver. Unlike the current system, where fines are often fixed, the new document proposes introducing a clear gradation of liability depending on exactly how much the speed limit was exceeded.

According to Biloshytsky, liability will be differentiated by thresholds of excess speed: 20, 40, 60, and 80 kilometers per hour. This means that a driver exceeding the speed limit by 80 km/h will face significantly harsher consequences than one who exceeded it by 20 km/h. This approach is designed not only to punish the offender but also to create a powerful deterrent for lovers of extreme driving on public roads.

Fighting recidivism and 'penalty points'

Special attention in the bill is paid to repeat offenders, whom the police call 'recidivists'. According to law enforcement officials, during the investigation of serious accidents, it is often found that the culprits had dozens of previous violations but continued to break the rules, relying on impunity. Bill No. 15348 aims to change this situation by introducing a principle according to which standard liability ceases to apply to repeat offenders.

As an example to follow, Biloshytsky cited the experience of other countries where a penalty points system is successfully used. Accumulating a certain number of points in the future could lead to a temporary suspension of driving privileges or even a complete revocation of the driver's license. This will be the first step towards creating a stricter system where repeat offenses will be punished not just with money, but with a real restriction on freedom of movement.

Tragedy in Kyiv as a catalyst for change

The relevance of the issue of strict liability for dangerous driving was raised again against the backdrop of tragic events in Kyiv. Recently, a 23-year-old driver of a Volkswagen Golf, driving at high speed, crashed into a public transport stop. As a result of the accident, two women died, and the driver was charged. The head of the Patrol Police emphasized that such tragedies vividly demonstrate the inadequacy of current punishments for dangerous driving, which remains one of the main causes of road mortality.

Contradictory data

Although the bill is already at the stage of preparation for the first reading, there are nuances that require further clarification. On the one hand, law enforcement officials expect the document to pass quickly in the Rada, arguing the need for an immediate response to the rise in accidents. On the other hand, public human rights defenders and legislative experts note that the mechanism for introducing 'penalty points' requires detailed development of the technical base for recording violations to avoid corruption risks and administrative errors. Moreover, the exact amounts of fines and terms of license revocation for various categories of offenses have not yet been detailed in the public domain, leaving room for discussion.

Return of 'Phantom' patrols and strengthened control

In the context of tightening control on the roads, the return of 'Phantom' patrols is also being discussed — units specializing in preventing races and dangerous driving. In combination with new legislation, this should create a comprehensive safety system. It is expected that increased liability and more active work by patrol units will help reduce the number of accidents caused by speeding and return a sense of safety to drivers and pedestrians.