Ukraine toughens penalties for drunk driving: Minimum fine UAH 10,000

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed into law harsher penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other medicines, according to Bill No. 4373, posted on the official website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

In particular, if the driver is prosecuted for drunk driving for the first time, he will be fined UAH 10,200 (600 untaxed minimums, which was earlier 200) and will not be allowed to drive for a year. The law also stipulates that if the driver is prosecuted for drunk driving for the second time within a year, he will be fined UAH 20,400 (1,200 untaxed minimums) and will not be permitted to drive for three years, along with the possibility that the vehicle may be seized. If the driver commits the offense twice in one year, he will be charged 2,400 untaxed minimums (UAH 40,800) and will not be allowed to drive for 10 years, in addition to the likelihood of the vehicle being seized. The law comes into effect one day after its publication.