In Moscow, officials are considering a bold experiment aimed at cutting deadly after-accidents by permitting drivers involved in crashes to depart the scene in ways that currently violate traffic rules. The core idea is to address a persistent pattern of what researchers term the “repeated” collision problem, where incidents during the moment of reporting or after a crash lead to additional harm to people and property. The plan would use a network of closed-circuit cameras to reconstruct what actually happened, providing a reliable visual record to authorities and insurers, according to testing reports from Kommersant.
For years, Moscow has grappled with the consequences of these follow-on accidents. Industry analyses, including data from the Probok.net expertise center, suggest that a significant number of fatalities in the capital occur each year in connection with crashes and the chaotic aftermath that follows. While the numbers vary, a pattern of preventable harm continues to draw attention from road-safety researchers and city planners who seek practical remedies without compromising accountability on the roads.
Under existing traffic regulations, a driver involved in an accident must stop immediately, alert others, activate hazard signals, and position a warning triangle to alert approaching traffic. In scenarios where there are no injuries or fatalities, drivers are allowed to leave the scene after documenting the damage with photographs of the vehicles and the surrounding area. This current approach is intended to balance safety, responsibility, and the practicalities of limited police and emergency resources on busy streets.
As part of the pilot, the proposal would authorize drivers to exit the lane promptly after a crash on major thoroughfares if the incident appears non-severe and the immediate risk to others is minimal. The objective is to prevent additional harm that can arise when people linger in traffic lanes and to speed the flow of traffic, which in turn could raise road capacity and reduce congestion by a notable margin as vehicles resume movement sooner. The plan relies on real-time video and still-image captures from street cameras to verify what occurred and to confirm that the exit was appropriate given the circumstances.
The sites chosen for the pilot include major beltways and ring roads around the city, with the Moscow Ring Road, the Third Ring Road, and the Central and Accords rings getting particular attention. If the initial results show positive safety outcomes and improved traffic throughput, officials anticipate expanding the rule across other parts of the urban roadway network and making corresponding amendments to traffic regulations to reflect the new practice.
Experts, however, caution that the policy could create legal uncertainty. A pilot that allows leaving the crash site may clash with existing obligations under the law, especially regarding insurance payments. Insurers could interpret the rapid departure as a potential mistake or omission, potentially leading to disputes over compensation. In addition, penalties currently outlined in Article 12.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses — including possible deprivation of driving rights for up to eighteen months or administrative arrest — raise questions about how a pilot program would be supported by a robust legal framework. Critics argue that any pilot must be accompanied by clear statutory guarantees and carefully crafted guidelines to safeguard the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, including drivers, pedestrians, and other road users.
The dialogue around this potential change highlights a broader tension between immediate safety benefits and the need to preserve accountability and fair treatment under the law. Proponents argue that the approach could reduce casualties by removing the riskier behavior that occurs when drivers try to manage crash scenes in the middle of traffic, thereby creating safer, faster rescues and clearer flow. Opponents, meanwhile, emphasize the importance of transparent documentation, consistent insurance practices, and unambiguous legal consequences to deter reckless decisions and ensure that victims receive timely support. The consensus among many stakeholders is that any approval should rest on solid evidence, strong enforcement mechanisms, and explicit protections for those affected by accidents on Canada and U.S. roads alike, with appropriate adjustments to local regulations and cross-border traffic norms as needed.
Photo: Depositphotos
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