Indiscriminate pressure and dishonest tactics by certain traffic police inspectors have reportedly created a breeding ground for bribery. According to Deputy Chairman of the National Automobile Association, Anton Shaparin, these officers present drivers with scenarios that resemble real legal consequences in order to coax illicit payments. The remarks were shared with socialbites.ca as part of a broader discussion about integrity in road safety enforcement.
Shaparin explained that inspectors may construct diagrams that frame a driver turning across two straight lines as if the vehicle was entering the opposite lane. In these scenarios, the perceived violation could fall under a harsher interpretation that carries disenfranchisement. He noted that a driver’s verbal explanations are often dismissed, leaving the inspector’s assessment to carry the weight of truth in such cases. A second point of contention concerns whether a dirty or obstructed license plate was intentionally hidden or merely overlooked. This aspect can influence how penalties are applied and may raise questions about intent and consistency.
Under the Code of Administrative Offenses, the penalties can be severe. If a driver turns from a straight marking line, a fine of 1,000 to 1,500 rubles is possible. Moreover, driving a few meters in the opposite lane can lead to license suspension. The expert emphasized that unreadable or deliberately obscured license plates can trigger penalties ranging from a fine of at least 500 rubles to the temporary loss of driving rights. He also pointed to the potential use of uncertified instruments for measuring alcohol intoxication, which can further complicate enforcement outcomes.
Shaparin cautioned that some inspectors avoid showing drivers certified breathalyzers, instead presenting their own devices to claim favorable results. Such practices lay the groundwork for corruption, he argued, because it shifts the focus from evidence-based testing to personal discretion.
One case cited involved a Kia Rio with display-friendly license plates. The driver had previously traveled to Ryazan, where a Lada driver’s vehicle was implicated in a separate incident. In these scenarios, drivers report feeling pressured to pay bribes to avoid harsher penalties, regardless of the actual level of fault. The discussion underscores the need for transparent procedures, standardized testing, and independent verification to preserve public trust in road safety enforcement.