Legal shift affects penalties for drivers with non-narcotic drug traces
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation has ruled that confiscating a driver’s license and imposing a 30,000 ruble fine based on traces of drugs that are not related to psychotropic substances or narcotics is no longer permissible. This decision changes how investigators and courts treat cases where a driver tests positive for certain medications or substances that are not legally classified as narcotics or psychotropic drugs.
Under previous practice, a driver who tested positive for another drug in blood or urine could be treated the same as someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The ruling introduces a new standard, recognizing that the presence of certain non-narcotic medications does not automatically equate to intoxication in the sense used for traffic offenses.
The text of the ruling indicates that the use of medications such as phenazepam, phenibut, and gabapentin, among others, has effectively become legalized to a certain degree within road safety considerations. The court notes that the ban resulting from the ruling is temporary, and it calls on the State Duma to address the identified gap as soon as possible. However, no precise deadline has been set for implementing this legislative revision.
Public safety funding and tire donations linked to public service vehicles
There is a call for additional resources to sustain essential public services that help maintain order and respond to emergencies. In a collaborative effort, the organization Behind the Wheel and the All-Russia Popular Front have begun a fundraising drive. The goal is to secure tires in widely available sizes to equip vehicles used by law enforcement, emergency response teams, and humanitarian aid operators in the Donbass region, including ambulances and vehicles used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, as well as support for humanitarian aid convoys for residents in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and military supply vehicles.
The fundraising page invites supporters to contribute toward this tire drive, aiming to ensure that critical fleets have reliable tires to perform their duties effectively. This initiative underscores the broader objective of sustaining rapid response capabilities and logistical support for frontline and civilian operations.
These efforts reflect ongoing public interest in improving the readiness of vehicles that are essential to security, medical response, and humanitarian relief during times of strain and conflict.
Note: This summary reflects reported statements and policy considerations surrounding the described events and does not constitute legal advice or official government policy updates. Attributions are provided for context and for readers seeking corroboration from listed sources.