Unlike in 2008, when they limited themselves to increasing fines without touching the legislative framework itself, the current bill, authored by people's deputies Vladimir Oliynyk and Vladimir Malyshev, proposes a whole package of amendments. They affect not only motorists, but also road services, the advertising business, insurance companies, and transport operators. As noted by the deputy head of the Party of Regions faction in parliament, Mikhail Chechetov, the document is extremely important, so its chances of being adopted are assessed as high.

Segodnya has studied how drivers' lives will change if this law is approved. According to the lawyers we interviewed, Marina Gavyada and Alexey Svyatogor, almost any motorist could fall under the new rules, since some requirements seem excessively harsh.

FINEST FOR LACK OF A CHILD SEAT AND EXCESSIVE EXHAUST

1. Speed limits and penalties. All Ukrainian drivers will have to slow down — if currently a report is filed for exceeding the limit by more than 20 km, then after the amendments, a traffic inspector will be able to penalize for exceeding by 10 km per hour. For example, today in the city many drive at 70–80 km/h, and in the future the permissible threshold will drop to 65–70 km/h. Otherwise, the fine will be 250–340 UAH.

The same amount is proposed for ignoring road signs and markings, violating rules for starting movement, stopping and parking, as well as for improper crossing of pedestrian crossings and driving on sidewalks. For example, punishment threatens even if the driver forgot to turn on the left turn signal when starting off.

2. Creating an emergency situation. In the new version of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (CUAO), liability for this has been tightened: currently the fine is 680 UAH, and it is planned to increase it to 850. More importantly, the conditions under which such liability arises are now clearly spelled out. The inspector must provide evidence: testimony of the victim, witnesses, as well as data from photo and video recording cameras. In the most serious situations, the punishment can be tightened up to the seizure of a driver's license for a period from six months to a year.

3. Consequences of an accident. Even a minor collision can turn into big trouble for the driver. If a person suffered minor injuries in an accident (for example, a bruise or contusion), the driver faces a fine of 2550 to 3400 UAH, or deprivation of rights for 1–2 years, or administrative arrest for up to 10 days. However, there is a loophole: if the driver and the victim settle the matter on the spot and file the incident under the European Accident Report (without calling the traffic police), administrative liability does not arise.

4. Faulty engine. Another innovation is punishment for driving a car with excessive smoke from the exhaust pipe. Traffic inspectors will have the right to check emission levels, and if it turns out to be above the norm, the owner of a car with an engine up to 2.4 liters will pay 510–850 UAH, and a more powerful car (with an engine over 2.4 liters) — 850–1190 UAH.

5. Transportation of children. Currently, there are no sanctions for transporting a child without a special seat. In the updated CUAO, they will apparently appear. Parliamentarians propose introducing Article 121-3, which establishes a fine of 340–425 UAH for transporting children under 145 cm tall or under 12 years old without a car seat.

6. Driver's license. Today, driving without a document entails a fine of only 510 UAH, and in the new version of the legislation it is planned to raise it to 1700–4250 UAH. If a driver has already been deprived of rights and still gets behind the wheel, the fine will be 4250–5950 UAH. In addition, administrative arrest for a period of 7 to 15 days is possible, as well as confiscation of the car — paid or gratuitous.

FIVE KEY INNOVATIONS FOR DRIVERS

1. SPEED. Punishment is planned for exceeding by 10 km/h, not 20 km/h (as currently in effect), and new fine amounts are proposed:

by 10 km/h — 255–340 UAH

by 20 km/h — 340–510 UAH

by 30 km/h — 510–680 UAH

by 50 km/h — 680–850 UAH

For systematic violations, a driver may be deprived of rights for up to 10 years.

2. VIDEO RECORDING. It is planned to fine drivers automatically using photo and video recording systems for violations. Liability is placed on the car owner, but he can avoid punishment if within 10 days after receiving the "letter of happiness" he informs the traffic police who exactly was behind the wheel.

3. ECOLOGY. For exceeding the permissible level of harmful substances in exhaust, a fine of 510–1190 UAH is proposed. Currently, there is practically no liability for this.

4. ACCIDENT. If there is a victim with bodily injuries (light or medium severity, for example, a bruise), a fine of 2550 UAH, deprivation of rights for 1–2 years, or administrative arrest for 7–10 days is planned. Today, liability arises only for the very fact of an accident.

5. LICENSE. For driving without a driver's license, the fine may increase to 1700–4250 UAH. Confiscation of the vehicle is also provided. Currently — 425–850 UAH.