Is it safe to drive around Ukraine? Find out about road rules, police stops, and pedestrian safety before you go.
Photo © iStock/sonatali
A formidable contender to traffic chaos in Turkey or India, Ukrainian drivers are notoriously unpredictable and dangerous.
If you plan on driving in Ukraine there are a number of things to consider for your own safety.
- Pedestrian safety in Ukraine
- Safety for drivers in Ukraine
- Our top tips for first-time drivers in Ukraine
- Police stops in Ukraine
Pedestrian safety in Ukraine
If you are walking on or near the road, you may be in danger. Essentially, pedestrians have no right of way here – even in designated areas like crosswalks. It's safe to assume that if you are in the way of the car, the driver won't slow down, and you may be hit.
Pedestrian safety threat isn't limited to crossing roads. Ukranian drivers are known to mount the footpath if traffic is too dense. Do not expect the driver to slow down if you are on the footpath – they will usually maintain normal speed and treat the footpath like a road.
If you're walking on a footpath, and traffic is heavy, look behind you and watch your surroundings.
Sometimes, the driver may honk their horn to notify you of their approach while crossing the road. If this is the case, get to safety immediately. If you are on the footpath and the same thing happens, try to step inside the nearest building or alleyway.
Don't be panicked, just be careful while walking the streets.
Safety for drivers in Ukraine
So, you've kitted yourself out with a nice little Yuko, and you're ready to hit the roads. But first, there are a few things you need to check off your list before you pull out into the main streets.
Make sure you have some kind of identification on you. It could be an international drivers license, your license from your own country, passport or other forms of identification. This is good for dealing with the police – which we'll get to shortly.
The most important thing you should have is your car registration. You must have this with you at all times while driving. If you don't own the car, you must hold a power of attorney (Dverinost) issued by a Ukrainian Notary.
Our top tips for first-time drivers in Ukraine
Now, you have all your bits and pieces, it's time to bite the bullet and hit the road. Here are our top tips:
- If you cant drive manual, you'll need to learn fast. All cars in the Ukraine are manual transmissions
- Get used to potholes and open manholes. Road maintenance isn't the best, and Vodka hungry thieves steal manhole covers to sell for scrap metal
- Know the width of your car. Every Ukrainian driver knows their own car like it's an extension of their own body. It comes in handy for squeezing into tight nooks and crannies to avoid traffic jams – especially if you want to drive on the curb. (Although we advise you don't follow their lead and mount the pavement)
- There aren't any indicating lanes. You make your own
- Traffic lights are rare, but when you do find them, the order is Red = Stop. Yellow = Get Ready. Green = Go
- The horn is your friend. Use it, and you will make your way a little easier
- Speed limits are usually not obeyed
- You need to become a hard, defensive driver, very quickly – unless you want to wind up being a gooey, blubbering nervous wreck.
Police stops in Ukraine
It's fairly likely that at some stage you will be pulled over by a police officer. It's also fairly likely that if the police officer determines that you are a foreigner, they will be after some kind of bribe.
If you have all your documents with you, then they cant pin you for much more than a fine for "speeding", which can usually be paid off with around 20 UAH (US $4).
Sometimes they wont ask for a bribe at all. Sometimes they will make up ludicrous accusations. But remember that it's simply easier just to pay a small bribe than try to argue – which will see you wind up in more trouble. Although really, the "trouble" isn't that significant.
Bribery is illegal. You do not have to bribe any police officer, but in a country like Ukraine, where police corruption is at an epidemic level, try to avoid paying bribes and politely ask for an explanation for your offense to avoid further encouraging bribery in the country.
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