Penalties will increase for aggressive drivers

It is planned to increase the penalties for gross violations of the permitted driving speed, namely exceeding the speed by more than 60 kilometers per hour. This is foreseen by the amendments to the Road Traffic Law supported in the third reading in the Legal Commission of the Saeima on Wednesday, April 24.

In the flow of traffic, 71 percent of drivers outside built-up areas exceed the speed limit. Among European countries, Latvia stands out with these indicators as a particularly unsafe place for road users. Road safety indicators, including speeding, use of mobile devices while driving, as well as the number of fatalities and serious injuries, are significantly worse in Latvia than in most European Union countries, say the authors of the bill.

With the amendments, it is planned to establish that for exceeding the speed from 61 to 70 kilometers per hour with mopeds, motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks, the gross weight of which does not exceed 7.5 tons, the driver of the vehicle can be fined from 720 to 960 euros (currently – from 360 to 480 euros) and a ban on the use of driving rights for nine months (currently six). On the other hand, if the speed will be exceeded in a populated area, it is planned to apply a fine from 1,040 to 1,400 euros (currently – from 540 to 680 euros) and take away the right to drive vehicles from nine to 12 months (currently, a ban on the use of rights is applied for 12 months).

In the event that the permitted speed outside of populated areas is exceeded by 61 to 70 kilometers per hour with a car pulling a trailer or a truck with a gross weight exceeding 7.5 tons, the driver’s right to drive a vehicle may be revoked for 12 to 18 months (currently the prohibition of use for 12 months). On the other hand, for such a speed violation in a populated area, drivers may be deprived of their right to drive a vehicle for 12 to 24 months (currently, the right is withdrawn for 24 months).

In cases where the permitted driving speed will be exceeded by more than 70 kilometers per hour, it is planned to apply a fine of 1,400 to 2,000 euros and take away the right to drive for 12 to 36 months. This will apply to all vehicles, regardless of their gross weight.

It is also planned to increase the penalty for causing disturbances to the driver of the overtaking vehicle by increasing the driving speed or changing the driving trajectory. It is expected that a fine of 55 euros will be applied for this (currently – 40 euros). It is also planned to increase the fine for overtaking at regulated intersections or non-regulated intersections, except for cases when overtaking on the main road in relation to the road to be crossed. It is planned that a fine of 55 euros will be applied instead of 40 euros.

The amendments also intend to establish that the owner of the vehicle will be immediately informed if it is recorded that a vehicle is participating in road traffic that has not undergone a state technical inspection within the specified period or has not carried out compulsory civil liability insurance (OCTA). It is intended that the penalty for such a violation will be applied no more than once in 24 hours, and the information will be sent electronically. It is planned to come into effect from next year.

Also, the amendments provide that not only drivers of motor vehicles, but also drivers of bicycles and electric scooters will have to carry driver’s documents.

In order for the draft law to enter into force, it must be supported by the Saeima in the final reading.