The Ministry of the Interior has proposed a draft amendment to Art. 12.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which allows for punishments with deprivation of rights and a fine of 30 thousand rubles. including drivers whose body contains substances that are part of drugs, but not related to ethyl alcohol, narcotics or psychotropic substances.
The explanatory memorandum to the document states that drunk driving, however caused, including drugs, carries serious risks to people’s lives and health.
Measures should be taken to hold a person who has taken drugs that may impair his reaction time and attention liable for driving a vehicle.
On this basis, it is proposed to reformulate the explanatory notes to Article 12.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:
“… determined by Article 12.8 and section 3 of Article 12.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, administrative liability also arises in the event that, according to the results of a medical examination of the state of intoxication, other intoxicants were found in the body of this person, including those that are part of drugs requiring attention and reaction worsen, but are not related to ethyl alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic substances or their analogues or new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances.
What are the risks?
As a source familiar with the development of the project explained to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the key word here is “aggravated”, regardless of what substance is causing it.
A person drank the drug prescribed to him, but if after taking his reaction and attention deteriorated, then it is contraindicated for him to drive. Even if it is a conventional antiviral.
Here is a short list of drugs that are not recommended to use now, based on the instructions for them, but in the future it will not be possible at all:
- “TeraFlu”, “TeraFlu Extra” – not recommended
- “Coldact Flu Plus” – must refrain
- “Fervex” – it is recommended to refrain
- “Antigrippin-ANVI” – you have to refrain
- “Rinza” – it is necessary to abstain (causes drowsiness)
- Ibuklin – must be remembered (acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- “AnviMax” – you need to be careful
- “Coldrex” – when dizziness occurs, it is not recommended to administer.
Experts interviewed by the publication say the wording of the bill is so vague that most drugs could fall within the scope of visibility. And almost any drug a driver takes can lead to disqualification. But there are people with chronic diseases who are constantly on medication. There is a danger that they will not refuse the car, but will simply stop being treated, which will pose a rather serious threat to road safety.
A source: regulation.gov.ru en “Russian newspaper” za-rulem-bez-koles.html
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