The Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs has supported amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses that would reduce fines and penalty points for certain traffic violations.
The bill was approved in its first reading under an expedited procedure.
Committee Chair Archil Gorduladze said the proposed changes would significantly reduce sanctions for speeding offenses.
If adopted, speeding by 15 to 30 km/h above the limit would result in a GEL 50 fine, down from the current GEL 100. Drivers exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 50 km/h would face a GEL 100 fine instead of GEL 300, while speeding by more than 50 km/h would carry a GEL 300 fine.
The amendments would also change the penalty point system for violations recorded by patrol police officers. Speeding by 15 to 30 km/h and by 30 to 50 km/h would each result in the deduction of 10 points from a driver’s license. Currently, the latter offense carries a 20-point deduction. Speeding by more than 50 km/h would result in a deduction of 20 points.
The proposed reductions come less than two months after higher traffic fines took effect on May 1.
Another amendment would lower the fine for damage to trees and shrubs caused in traffic accidents. Gorduladze said the penalty would decrease from GEL 5,000 to GEL 500.
The legislative package will now move to parliament for further consideration.
