Regional traffic police units have issued advisories about widespread Friday and weekend driver checks on major highways. These ongoing operations focus on identifying and stopping drivers under the influence, with plans to intensify monitoring over the next several days. In the Omsk region, authorities announced a weekend event that will operate as a continuous screening, where officers will close segments of busy roads to ensure all passing motorists are checked. Similar mass inspections are anticipated in the Ivanovo region as part of a broader drive to reduce alcohol-related crashes, with large-scale enforcement efforts also planned in the Ryazan region.
The forthcoming program, labeled the “Drunk Driver” prevention campaign, will also take place in the Murmansk region and the Komi Republic, extending to the Kostroma, Stavropol, and Smolensk regions. In Volgograd, traffic police raids began Friday afternoon, signaling a nationwide emphasis on alcohol-impaired driving. Authorities in the capital have echoed these warnings, stressing the illegality of driving after consuming alcohol and the need for safer road practices.
Penalties for a first-time offense of driving under the influence typically include seizure of the driver’s license for a period ranging from 1.5 to 2 years, accompanied by a substantial monetary fine of around 30,000 rubles. These measures are designed to act as a strong deterrent and to protect road users from the dangers posed by intoxicated drivers.
In a striking unrelated incident, an ex-traffic police officer from Bashkiria was detained after authorities reported a man walking the street while carrying a grenade. The event underscored ongoing concerns about public safety and the continued importance of vigilant policing in ensuring lawful conduct on public roads and surrounding areas.