Draft law amending the Road Traffic Act (616 SE) - first reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-05 01:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 46
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 51m
AI Summaries: 46/46 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft law amending the Traffic Act, first reading 616, which provides for greater autonomy for municipalities to regulate the use of light electric vehicles and minimopeds within their local territories. The draft’s objective is to increase safety on city streets and reduce the number of accidents, enabling municipalities to set limits on the maximum number of vehicles and establish age restrictions, preventing users younger than the specified age from using the service. While Tallinn has demonstrated, in its existing practices, cautionary requirements at the municipal and city government level, the discussion raised questions about the responsibilities and supervisory roles of the state and local governments, including the limited rights and resources of the municipal police. Another turning point was the political question: whether such regulation is sensible and whether something needs to be done at the state level or in local regulations.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 616 was rejected on its first reading. Result: 39 in favor, 12 against, 0 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker: 46afnYFUZKE; likely position: in the left-wing (Social Democratic Party) faction. They participated with many ideas and questions, and drew attention to traffic safety, oversight, and the autonomy of local governments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi stated that today's item on the agenda is the first reading of Draft Act 616 concerning the amendment of the Traffic Act, and he invited his good colleague, Andre Hanimäe, to the podium.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi emphasizes that the draft bill would grant local governments the right to establish a maximum number of rental transport vehicles and an age limit to improve the safety of city streets (especially in Tallinn). Furthermore, it would serve as an optional tool for increasing local autonomy, allowing the municipality, if necessary, to respond to future services and reduce the risk of accidents.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and stated that his close colleagues had questions, then asked Lauri Läänemets to answer them.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets criticized the approach to solving the Tallinn problem, stating that the Reform Party and Eesti 200 are claiming they are legally unable to act, which he believes is a political game that could jeopardize people's safety and welfare.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi asserts that the regulation of mini-mopeds is not merely a concern for Tallinn, given that current legislation does not permit age restrictions or effective oversight. He argues that the age limit must be raised and clearer enforcement powers must be granted in order to restrict the availability of these mini-mopeds to 14-year-olds.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks and invites Tanel Kiik to take the floor.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik voiced the sentiment that two Reform Parties have emerged in the country—one based in Toompea and the other in the capital—who neither communicate nor understand each other, and he raised the question of the communication problem.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was a brief thank-you.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asked whether a separation of powers has emerged within the Reform Party.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi stated that the draft bill does not affect the internal affairs of the Reform Party, but it does bring to light similarities and differences—for instance, early childhood education and kindergarten are free in Tallinn, whereas this doesn't appear to be necessary elsewhere. Since various parties are in agreement regarding light traffic matters, he is hoping for broader support for the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Jaak Aab to the stage.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab thanks the presenter and stresses that the city's existing regulations regarding the use of light personal transporters must be supplemented with age verification. He also highlights Tallinn's efforts to find automated solutions for restricting minors and inquires about the progress of those negotiations.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi stated that negotiations are extremely important for Tallinn, and laws must be made more flexible and practical—taking real-life circumstances into account—in order to avoid inequality and litigation, and to ensure consistent and reasonable rules for businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request addressed to Lauri Läänemets.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasizes that equal and fair competitive conditions must be ensured for all entrepreneurs, asks why the government opposes this, recalls the draft bill concerning municipal police rights as a solution, points out that Prime Minister Michal does not like it, and attempts to figure out what issue the Reform Party has with the security of Tallinn residents and the situation regarding fair competition.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi stated that granting additional powers to the Municipal Police is practical and necessary, and that traffic enforcement and the associated authority should not be a political issue, noting that he is surprised by the political gamesmanship and emphasizing that the system in Tallinn must be orderly and regulated.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, invited Heljo Pikhof to speak.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof points out that there is an uncontrolled proliferation of light personal transport devices on the streets, posing a danger to children, people with mobility impairments, and families. This is because children love to run and play, and many users are speeding while intoxicated. Consequently, regulation is required—initially at the local government level, but also nationally if necessary.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi emphasizes that local governments should have the right to implement speed limits and additional measures themselves, arguing that while GPS-based restrictions exist in Tallinn, they are not always accurate and do not prevent every accident, and therefore the same solution should not be mandated nationwide.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Helmen Kütt to speak.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt stated that the draft bill is very necessary and appropriate, noting its connection to Children’s Day, but she questioned whether the hope for cross-party cooperation and its swift passage still remains.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to André Hanimägi, the proposal is naturally simple and logical, and although not everyone may support it today, this won't be the last time it is raised. The need for regulation is emerging due to the increasing volume of urban traffic and the growing number of mobility devices.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request to call Tanel Kiik.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik expressed hope that it would be understood at the national level that local governments cannot make decisions without a legal basis, and he asked whether the problem might be that the initiator is Tallinn, not Tartu.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi urged Tartu and other local governments to jointly raise their voices and adopt a draft resolution in their councils, just as Tallinn did, so that the state would address the issue and they could collectively appeal to Stenbock House.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Now, Madis Kallas will speak to us.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks whether the relevant draft bill expected from the government was based purely on conjecture, or if earlier committee meetings and various meetings with stakeholders indicated that the ministry was working in that direction.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi points out that the problem persists, and while the committee protocols confirm its existence, the government's response lacks any indication of analysis or the submission of a draft bill. Consequently, this issue must be seriously addressed and rectified.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and states that he has no further questions.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi thanks the audience.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Urve Tiidus explains how the deliberation of this draft bill took place in the Economic Affairs Committee and what the procedural decisions were.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus said that the goal of the third draft bill is to grant local governments the right to limit the number of rental micromobility devices and establish an age restriction, but the government and the ministry advisor are opposed due to the quota. The committee decided either to place the bill on the plenary session agenda on June 4th or reject it (6 in favor, 5 against).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience, mentions that there are a few questions, and calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is warning that the Song and Dance Celebration taking place in July will bring a lot of country kids to Tallinn. They move around in groups, and the resulting street chaos will increase the risk of accidents unless restrictions are placed on micro-mobility devices. She emphasizes that rejecting the proposed bill could lead to serious consequences for children's health.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus stated that while she represents the committee and is offering a personal opinion, the draft bill would not be able to take effect during the Song Festival. She added that although the issue has not vanished from the agenda, we must continue addressing the safety of light traffic users and children, especially since the Song and Dance Festivals are approaching and the number of children is growing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi said that quotas were the main concern in the commission and asked whether there had been a more detailed discussion about how significant the intensive infringement of fundamental rights would be if the authority to set age limits was given to the local government. He emphasized that this must not grant the local government the right to impose just any age limit, and that the restriction should be aimed at businesses and rental mobility devices, not one where the local government decides that 17-year-olds can ride light personal vehicles.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi stresses that the issue needs to be considered in a broader context.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The current traffic law gives local governments the opportunity to regulate the situation. Theoretically, the rental provider could create software that restricts young people's access to the scooters, and young people should take the initiative to address this issue and put things right.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi offered thanks, opened and closed the debate, and announced that the proposal of the lead committee was to reject Bill 616 at the first reading. He then called upon members to take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the Riigikogu voted on the bill 616 39 in favor, 12 against, and 0 abstentions; the bill was rejected and removed from proceedings, and he noted that the session could not yet be concluded because Andre still had the energy and stamina to pose a question to the presiding officer.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi asked the Deputy Speaker whether the corridors that had been closed for Flag Day were now open, and whether the members of the Riigikogu weren't wandering around somewhere.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that it wasn't members of the Centre Party who approached him as chairman, but rather people from the Isamaa and Reform Party factions; the corridors were open, but the route might have been longer, and at least Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was present and voted in favour.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks if, on the day when the Isamaa and EKRE factions held their questions and votes regarding the lowering of excise duty, the Social Democrats were unable to arrive, and whether the corridors were truly blocked.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that although the requirement was not scientifically justified, and the procedural call lasted two minutes and 30 seconds with no one raising an objection, consensus was achieved, and the session concluded with thanks to the colleagues, even though political gamesmanship has been present and will likely continue in the future.