Get Inspired by International Road Safety Lessons: A Penalty Points Approach

The core cause of most road crashes is breaking one or more traffic rules. Yet many drivers view rule violations as not truly illegal or harmful. To raise road safety, Dmitry Davydov emphasizes strengthening citizens’ awareness and motivation to follow the rules, rather than overlooking violations.

Their experience could guide Russia, as European countries lead in lowering road fatalities. The European Transport Safety Council notes that in 2012, 17 of 27 EU nations employed a penalty points system, where points accumulate for infractions and the offender loses driving privileges after reaching a threshold within a set period.

For example, Spain saw road deaths fall by nearly four times over twenty years. The most striking improvement occurred between 2006 and 2013, when fatalities dropped from 4.1 thousand to 1.7 thousand. Experts credit the 2006 introduction of the penalty point system for this progress by penalizing violations and reducing drivers’ freedom on the road.

Spain operates a system where every driver starts with 12 points (eight for new drivers or those returning after a license suspension). Depending on the violation, penalties can include fines or point loss. A depleted balance leads to license cancellation for six months initially and for one year in later cases. Any offense can result in a loss of 2 to 6 points, with more severe violations carrying higher penalties. Driving without a license can lead to three to six months in prison or three months of community service.

The cost of insurance also hinges on the number of penalty points, adding another incentive not to violate. After completing a 12-hour retraining course, a driver may recover up to six points, though this course can be taken only once every two years. Recovering driving rights after suspension requires a 24-hour course and an exam.

Get inspired by experience

In Russia, the typical preventive response to many traffic offenses remains a fine rather than a comprehensive strategy.

“Raising penalties works with violators, but relying on fines alone can breed abuse,” Davydov notes. “If fines are paid regularly, some drivers keep breaking the rules because they meet the law’s requirements by paying.”

He explains that for some drivers, money forms a corrupt mentality that dulls the incentive to improve driving behavior. Wealthy individuals may dismiss penalties as negligible, while reckless drivers think fines compensate for violations and thus continue risky behavior. In certain situations paying a fine may seem easier than changing behavior.

Recently, the Ministry of Justice proposed tougher sanctions for repetitive traffic offenses in a new draft Administrative Offenses Code. The project suggests removing driving rights for one to one and a half years for serious violations.

Davydov argues these steps miss a key point. Minor violations can still pose major safety risks. For example, tolerating a routine speed of 20–40 km/h without risk of disenfranchisement could enable drivers to travel at dangerous speeds of up to 99 km/h in towns, with a fine of only a few hundred rubles.

He advises developing and implementing a penalty points system modeled on countries that have used it for over 15 years and report substantially lower road fatalities than Russia. Spain, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Australia, and others meet these criteria.

Drawing from these nations, the project proposes awarding 1 to 8 points based on violation severity. For instance, misuse of sound signals or emergency alarms could earn 1 point, while running a red light could attract 8 points. Accumulating 15 points within two years could lead to a one-year loss of rights. For new drivers and those who have regained their rights, rights might be revoked at 8 points. Restoring rights would involve training, exams, and a gradual increase of points over time, up to a cap of 20.

Officials have noted that a penalty points system could rely on existing government data and require little funding. The World Health Organization reports that road crashes cost many economies about 3% of GDP, so such a system could be economically beneficial. Insurance firms could gain from more precise risk data, and a strong deterrent would likely reduce violations, lowering injuries and deaths on Russian roads.

Thanksgiving portions

Davydov has shared this idea with authorities. In the Federation Council, deputies acknowledged the appeal and noted that related proposals were being examined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Officials from the labor department and the Ministry of Justice also expressed appreciation for his active citizenship and interest in road safety reforms.

Davydov urged the ministries to explore a legal framework for implementing a penalty points system for traffic violations. While the state’s position on penalty points as a tool to reduce violations remains undecided, the discussion continues.

Support for Davydov’s proposal also came from Andrey Motorov, editor in chief of Motor.ru. He regards penalty points as a lighter yet effective measure to improve driving discipline, capable of addressing persistent rule-breaking without punishing conscientious drivers. He sees it as a targeted approach that could replace broad penalties and help foster a culture of responsible driving.

Motorov notes that the plan should not harm careful motorists; penalty points offer a flexible alternative to harsher punishments and, beyond saving lives and reducing injuries, can promote a more respectful road culture and reduce antisocial driving behavior. Experts view Davydov’s proposal as valuable and practical, though its rollout will require formal legal backing from the state.

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