Russia’s legal landscape for traffic safety has seen a notable update regarding how drunk driving is checked, with changes taking effect on March 1, 2023. An esteemed Russian attorney, Ivan Solovyov, outlined that the revision to the government decree governing alcohol impairment testing aims to strengthen the objectivity and reliability of results. The update focuses on procedural safeguards and transparency to ensure that drivers’ rights are respected throughout the testing process. This shift in policy was reported by the Agency under the headline Hitting the Primer, signaling a heightened emphasis on accuracy and accountability in roadside assessments.
Under the revised rules, measurement devices used to determine alcohol levels must be calibrated and employed to guarantee accuracy. The results are expected to be obtained in a manner that foregoes ambiguity: the test will be conducted in the presence of two witnesses or captured on video. If the assessment is recorded on paper, the driver must be informed of the procedure before the test begins, ensuring clear communication and informed consent. The emphasis on witnesses and video documentation aims to minimize disputes about how the test was administered and to provide an auditable record of the event.
Solovyov argues that these provisions contribute to a more objective evaluation of scenarios where a driver is suspected of intoxication. By establishing concrete procedural steps and enhancing transparency, the new rules strive to create a fairer process that protects the rights of Russian road users while enabling authorities to determine alcohol impairment with greater certainty. The attorney also notes that additional guarantees are embedded in the decree to safeguard civil liberties during traffic stops and subsequent testing, reflecting a broader effort to balance enforcement with due process.
In related developments, Sergey Savelyev, who previously served as a lawyer with the Eurasian Law Society Senator, highlighted that Russia’s traffic regulations, effective from March 1, 2023, will also impact owners of electric scooters. The updated SDA provisions address the growing use of personal electric mobility devices on public roads and in urban environments. Savelyev’s remarks suggest that the changes are part of a wider framework designed to modernize traffic rules in line with evolving transportation trends, including the integration of new vehicle categories into standard enforcement procedures. This context underscores the government’s intent to apply consistent testing and oversight across both traditional motor vehicles and newer forms of city mobility, ensuring safety for all road users. [Source: Agency report]