The idea of labeling drug packaging to indicate impairment when driving originated from Alexander Bykov, who leads the Moscow Traffic Inspectorate. He gained backing from the leadership of Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry to explore safer road practices.
Public statements reported that the Russian Interior Ministry supports the concept of adding special labels to the packaging of certain medicines and creating a master list of drugs that can affect driving ability. This approach aims to clearly signal when a medicine may interfere with a driver’s attention or reaction time. The labeling would be applied to products that contain substances such as alcohol, narcotics, or other toxic ingredients known to cause intoxication, distraction, or delayed responses behind the wheel.
Current law already forbids driving under the influence, regardless of the cause. In practice, this means that using medications or substances that could impair driving should not be treated as a loophole to avoid responsibility. The penalties may include disqualification or loss of driving privileges, underscoring the seriousness of impairment while operating a vehicle.
There are instances where drivers consume drugs without realizing they include alcohol, narcotics, or toxic components. Although drug information is listed in product descriptions, many users do not examine contraindications carefully. In this context, there is a real risk of losing a license even when medication is taken for common issues like coughs or headaches.
To address this, the proposal calls for Health Ministry involvement to build a registry of medicines that can render driving unsafe. The plan also includes placing clear and consistent labeling on affected packaging to help consumers make informed choices before getting behind the wheel.