At a recent meeting with members of the government, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized a shift in focus for the State Traffic Inspectorate from simply enforcing rules to actively improving road safety. The president underscored that the primary task is not to arrest people on the roads, but to cut down on accidents and decrease fatalities, a sentiment echoed by official outlets and commentators who covered the discussion. This framing signals a strategic move toward preventive policing and smarter traffic management, aiming to build public trust while delivering tangible safety outcomes for drivers, pedestrians, and all road users across the country.
During the same session, the head of state reiterated the police’s mandate: road safety must come first, with a goal of reducing the death toll and shrinking the number of traffic incidents. The remarks align with a broader policy conversation about modernizing traffic governance, strengthening enforcement where necessary, and implementing safety measures that protect vulnerable road participants without turning enforcement into a purely punitive exercise.
Earlier in November 2023, a member of the Public Chamber, Alexander Kholodov, attended Putin’s meeting to discuss potential reforms. There was discussion about not waiting until 2029—when the current traffic regulations would expire—and instead proceeding with targeted changes and preparing fresh rules ahead of schedule. The dialogue reflected a sense of urgency among policymakers to refresh the regulatory framework, adapt to new road safety challenges, and align legal provisions with evolving traffic patterns and technology-driven solutions.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Popov, a leading expert from the St. Petersburg Traffic Management Directorate, highlighted the scope of work still needed. He suggested that around 120 amendments could be necessary to the existing traffic rules, with proposals ranging from clarifying definitions to updating procedures for turning movements. In response, the State Traffic Inspectorate of Russia began gathering input and drafting proposals that would shape future traffic-rule reforms, aiming to balance clarity, enforceability, and real-world practicality on today’s roads.
In tandem with these discussions, there have been reports about ongoing efforts to simplify the text of traffic rules in Russia. The goal behind such simplifications is to make the regulations easier to understand for drivers and pedestrians alike, reducing ambiguity that can contribute to misinterpretation and noncompliance. These reform efforts are part of a broader push to modernize the regulatory framework so it remains relevant in a rapidly changing transport landscape, which includes increasing urban traffic, evolving vehicle technology, and new mobility patterns across cities and regions.