Ukraine introduces stricter speed control measures: over 40% of serious road accidents linked to speeding
Ukraine is preparing new measures against systematic traffic violations and simultaneously expanding speed control on the roads. The reason is serious: according to police data, speeding (exceeding the safe and established speed limit) is associated with 40.8% of road accidents with severe consequences.
On August 21, road safety issues were discussed at a coordination meeting with the participation of the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Patrol Police, people’s deputies, experts, and public organizations. Among the proposals are strengthening speed control, stricter liability for systematic violators, and the possible introduction of a penalty point system.
However, it is important for drivers to distinguish between measures already in force and proposals: new fine amounts or a penalty point system have not yet been introduced. Some legislative initiatives are only under consideration.
Why authorities have again focused on speeding
Statistics show why speed has become one of the main directions of the new road safety campaign.
In 2025, the police registered 25,934 road accidents with injuries in Ukraine. 3,249 people died in them, and another 31,898 were injured.
One of the main causes of accidents with severe consequences was exceeding the safe or established speed limit — 40.8% of such accidents.
Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs proposes not to limit itself to responding to individual accidents, but to strengthen the control system, especially in relation to drivers who violate the rules regularly.
Another 50 cameras have already started operating on the roads
Some measures have already come into effect. Since August 20, 50 new automatic traffic violation recording systems have been operating on Ukrainian roads.
After their launch, the total number of such systems in the country has increased to 426. New cameras are being placed taking into account accident rates and the need to strengthen control over compliance with speed limits.
But the expansion of the system will not end there. According to Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhovskyi, Ukraine needs about 600 more cameras to cover all accident-prone sections where such control is needed.
“Phantom” vehicles to return to the roads
Another control tool that is planned to be brought back is the so-called “Phantoms”.
These are patrol cars without conspicuous external markings, equipped with equipment for automatic recording of speed violations, including while driving.
Such vehicles were already used before the full-scale invasion. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in just one month of their operation, more than 26 thousand drivers were held liable for speeding.
Currently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to resume the operation of three “Phantom” vehicles within a month.
Penalty points discussed again
More serious changes may require a decision by the Verkhovna Rada.
At road safety meetings, the possibility of introducing a penalty point system or another mechanism that would allow the revocation of the right to drive for systematic speeding violations was discussed.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also advocates for strengthening liability for repeat traffic violations and a stricter approach to dangerous behavior on the road.
But for now, these are only proposed changes. The decision to introduce penalty points has not yet been made, so it is premature to speak of the new system as being in force.
What is happening with the bill on strengthening liability
The Minister of Internal Affairs separately called on parliament to support bill No. 15348 on amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses and strengthening liability for actions that lead to injuries and deaths on the roads.
The document was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on June 24, 2026. The relevant committee recommended adopting it in the first reading as a basis, but as of August 21, the bill is awaiting consideration.
That is, the norms of the document have not yet entered into force and do not automatically change current fines.
What has already changed for drivers
At the moment, the main practical change is not new fines, but the expansion of speed control.
- since August 20, another 50 automatic recording cameras have been operating;
- in total, there are now 426 such systems in the country;
- the Ministry of Internal Affairs considers it necessary to install about 600 more cameras;
- within a month, it is planned to return three “Phantom” vehicles;
- penalty points and new mechanisms for punishing systematic violators are still under discussion.
The next stage will be the definition of specific legislative decisions, responsible bodies, and timelines for their implementation. Therefore, drivers should distinguish between the already intensified control on the roads and possible tightening of liability: the former is already happening, the latter must still go through the legislative process.
