During the New Year holidays, drivers face especially strict sobriety checks conducted by traffic police inspectors. The authorities plan to deploy additional patrol units across major routes to ensure compliance and prevent impaired driving. This information comes from a report by TASS, citing the Main Directorate of Road Safety (GUOBDD) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. In a coordinated push, collective inspections and targeted operations are being carried out to deter violations and identify drivers under the influence. The ministry emphasized that these measures are designed to protect pedestrians and fellow motorists during a peak travel period when traffic volumes surge and the likelihood of congestion, accidents, and risky maneuvers increases.
Statistics show that while the trend has seen fluctuations, the overall rate of accidents caused by drunk driving has shown a decline over recent years. For example, in the first 11 months of 2022, Russia recorded 12,779 traffic incidents involving drivers under the influence, resulting in 2,921 fatalities and 16,673 injuries. Law enforcement agencies remind vehicle owners and occupants that drinking and driving remains a dangerous choice with potentially devastating consequences for themselves and others. The message is clear: sobriety behind the wheel is essential for safe winter travel and festive celebrations.
Recent regional reporting highlighted incidents where law enforcement personnel themselves faced scrutiny; in December, a deputy head of the traffic police in the Novopokrovsky district of the Kuban region was briefly taken off duty after being found with signs of drunkenness while driving. This incident underscores the broad reach of sobriety checks and the commitment of authorities to uphold road safety without exception. In the run-up to the holidays, drivers are urged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, use public transport, or arrange safe rides to avoid risking accidents and penalties. The overarching goal is to reduce alcohol-related crashes and protect communities during a period when roads are busiest and travel plans are frequent. The public is encouraged to cooperate with inspectors and to report unsafe behavior to help ensure a safer travel season for everyone. The emphasis remains on education, prevention, and decisive enforcement as part of a sustained effort to improve road safety during festive periods.