Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has submitted a new legislative package to Parliament proposing stricter penalties for traffic violations because of persistent road safety challenges. The Ministry stated that there was some progress, but hundreds of people are still killed or severely injured in road accidents each year.
The Ministry’s analysis indicates that driver behaviour remains a main contributing factor, prompting a comprehensive review of existing sanctions. The proposed amendments to the Administrative Offences Code introduce significantly higher fines alongside new penalty-point deductions to improve compliance and reduce accident rates.
Under the draft legislation, fines for improper vehicle manoeuvring would rise to GEL 100, accompanied by a deduction of 20 points from a driver’s license. Speeding penalties would also increase, with violations exceeding the speed limit by 15–40 km/h set to double from GEL 50 to GEL 100. The fine for failing to use seatbelts would be raised to GEL 50, with an additional deduction of 10 points. Drivers caught using a mobile phone while driving would likewise face a GEL 50 fine.
Parking violations would also be more strictly enforced. In nine major municipalities and resort areas, Kutaisi, Batumi, Mtskheta, Rustavi, Gori, Telavi, Poti, Zugdidi and various resorts, the fine for illegal parking or stopping would be set at GEL 50, matching Tbilisi’s existing rate. Driving in the opposite direction on bus lanes, except by authorised public transport, would incur a GEL 200 penalty.
The proposal also establishes new offences. Parking or stopping a vehicle on pavements or pedestrian crossings would result in a GEL 100 fine, and in specified circumstances, vehicles may be confiscated and moved to secure impound yards.
