A fresh draft order outlining traffic enforcement procedures has appeared on Regulation.gov.ru. The rules have not seen meaningful changes in five years and are already outdated in many respects.
The lead statement notes that the procedure was developed after analyzing practical problems encountered while enforcing the law and after receiving proposals from regional traffic police departments. The aim is to address real-world issues that surface during monitoring and enforcement, ensuring the rules reflect how road safety is managed on the ground today.
The most visible change from prior drafts is a shift away from the idea of secret patrols. Previously, plainclothes inspectors could operate on roadways in civilian cars, drafting protocols without visible uniforms or markings. In the new draft, civilian inspectors may still observe traffic, but they must relay information about offenders to uniformed traffic police crews and to official patrol vehicles, which take responsibility for issuing the formal protocols. This adjustment aligns enforcement with clear chain of command and visible accountability on the street.
Another important clarification concerns actions taken in civilian vehicles. When monitoring traffic in nonuniformed cars, inspectors are prohibited from engaging in methods that compel road users to break traffic rules. The emphasis is on observation and notification rather than coercive tactics that could escalate risk or erode trust on the road.
Inspectors, like all police officers, are granted authority to gain entry to vehicles in the interest of public safety. This includes scenarios involving potential riots, natural disasters, or threats such as terrorist activity, as well as the detention of suspects. The draft clarifies the thresholds and justifications for such entries, aiming to balance urgent safety needs with the rights of drivers and passengers.
Another notable revision is the prohibition on inspectors using drivers’ mobile devices during enforcement actions. The draft restricts the access and use of phones to prevent distractions or potential misuse during traffic checks and related operations, reinforcing safer roadside practices for everyone involved.
Regarding the documentation for enforcement actions, drivers are no longer handed critical papers on the roadside. Instead, residents must review documents at the traffic police office. This change delays direct on-road dissemination of enforcement materials but seeks to improve accuracy and clarity by ensuring all documents are reviewed in a controlled setting where questions can be answered.
During the process of towing a vehicle, inspectors must remain nearby until the tow has been completed and the vehicle is in motion. Keeping the inspector close helps guarantee that the driver does not reclaim the vehicle prematurely and that the handover occurs in a controlled, orderly manner. The logic is to prevent confusion and ensure proper execution of the towing procedure.
When removing a driver from operation outside a populated area, inspectors are expected to assist the offender in reaching the nearest town. The intent appears to be practical support to minimize the risk of stranded drivers and to facilitate safe transport to a place where the situation can be resolved more effectively, rather than leaving a driver to navigate alone in unfamiliar territory.
The draft introduces an immediate prohibition on any form of expression that could be discriminatory or biased toward a driver or passengers. This is a clear move to curb prejudiced behavior during enforcement and to promote a more professional, respectful interaction between officers and road users. The aim is to reinforce equal treatment and fairness on every encounter on the roadside.