Jerusalem – The Knesset approved the Transport Ministry’s request to increase fines for serious driving violations.
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Israelis have a well-earned reputation as being among the world’s craziest drivers, as borne out by the number of Israelis killed every year in road accidents.
After several years of reduced road fatalities, the number of Israelis killed every year in accidents has been increasing over the past 3 years.
Last year the Transport Ministry tabled new regulations aimed to deter bad driving by significantly increasing fines for the most dangerous violations. Yesterday, the Economic Affairs Committee approved them.
The fine for going through a red traffic light went up from NIS 1,000 ($250) to NIS 1,500. A similar fine will also be the punishment for crossing a solid white line.
According to police statistics, these two violations are the major causes of fatal road accidents.
Speed demons will also pay heavily for their transgressions. Drivers going more than 140 kph (80 mph) on an interurban highway (speed limit 110 kph), or more than 80 kph in a built up area (speed limit 50 kph) will also be fined 1,500 NIS.
Last year (2016) 376 Israelis were killed in road accidents. Considering the population is under 10 million people, this is a very high number, way above the OECD per capita average.