The majority of the Ukrainian population supports an increase in fines for speeding, especially for excessive speeding. These are the results of a sociological survey conducted by the research agency Info Sapiens in the period from June 6 to June 15, 2023 on behalf of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM).

According to the results of the study, the vast majority of citizens believe that fines for exceeding the permitted speed limit should be increased in Ukraine. The higher the speeding violation level, the higher the support for increasing fines.

Positive answers to the question “How much do you support the increase in fines for speeding on the roads if the excess is…”: 10 km/h or more – 54% of respondents, 20 km/h or more – 69%, 30 km/h or more – 79%, 40 km/h or more – 82%, 50 km/h or more – 86%.

Currently, in Ukraine, driving at 21 to 50 km/h above the speed limit is punishable by a fine of UAH 340, and driving at more than 50 km/h above the speed limit is punishable by a fine of UAH 1,700. According to an analytical study conducted by CEDEM earlier, in order to get closer to the best practices of EU member states in the field of liability for traffic rules violations, Ukraine should introduce graduated sanctions for every 10 km/h, significantly increase the amount of fines for high levels of speeding, and introduce a penalty points system.

“53.5% [of respondents] support increase in liability in the form of fines for driving at 10 km/h to 20 km/h above the speed limit. This is an offense for which there are now no fines at all. Unpunished speeding exists only in Ukraine and Russia, and this idea was borrowed from Russia. Society clearly says that there should be fines for driving at 10 km/h above the speed limit – this is what our coalition of non-governmental organizations proposes,” commented Viktor Zahreba, coordinator of CEDEM’s ‘For Safe Roads’ Campaign.

According to the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law Olesia Kholopik, the survey results mean that there is a demand in society for more effective control over the compliance with traffic rules, in particular exceeding the established speed limit.

The sociological study was conducted by CATI method (computer-assisted telephone interviews) on the basis of random sampling of cell phone numbers in the period from June 6 to June 15, 2023 in all regions of Ukraine except for Crimea and Sevastopol, Luhansk Region, as well as some temporarily occupied territories where there are no communications. The survey sample consisted of 1,000 interviews. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 3.1% with a probability of 0.95%. The report on the study results is available on the CEDEM website.

The Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law reminds everyone that according to Patrol Police official statistics, speeding is the leading cause of traffic accidents with fatalities and injuries.  In 2022, it was the official cause of most fatal traffic accidents, claiming the lives of 1,633 people (58% of all reported fatalities) and injuring another 1,075 people. Therefore, speeding on the roads remains the “number one killer” in Ukraine, far ahead of other official causes.

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The ‘For Safe Roads’ Campaign is an advocacy campaign aimed at reducing mortality and injuries on Ukraine’s roads. It was initiated in 2016 by the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law in partnership with NGO Vision Zero, U-Cycle and brings together international, Ukrainian experts, representatives of the legislative branch and the executive branch.