Headlights, beacons and videos

Ukrainians can film traffic policemen, but have to drive with headlights on

It has become a bad habit to change the traffic rules in Ukraine.   

Headlights off – penalty
Recently, the Ukrainian government supported changes to the traffic rules that prescribe to have lights on around the clock for seven months of the year – from October 1 to May 1. Violation of this rule will be punished by a fine up to 425 UAH.     

Rotating blue beacon

Changes in legislation concern not only drivers, but also traffic policemen. In particular, police patrol cars have to drive on roads only with rotating blue beacons on. 

To prevent violations of traffic rules in the city traffic police patrol cars have to be on dangerous areas or where there is high concentration of accidents. But applying this patrol method outside the city is prohibited.  

Video will show who is to blame

At a meeting of the Government Prime Minister also said that one can and should film the work of traffic policemen.  Before that, however, the deputy chief of traffic police Volodymyr Reznikov had said that citizens who filmed the work of inspectors can be punished by 15 days of administrative arrest. According to lawyers, filming the work of traffic police is not considered a violation of law, unless there are signs of operational activities. 

And traffic policemen will decide who is alive

The future Ukrainian cops, like their colleagues in Europe, will have to provide first aid at the scene of accidents if they arrive there first. They have to decide whether the victim can be moved or touched. All officers will have to pass the appropriate exam and receive a certificate. If a policeman fails the exam, he or she may lose their job as professionally unfit.