Across the traffic safety landscape, data shows that among 10,800 recorded violations involving entering an oncoming lane, 940 incidents have already been documented. Authorities noted that liability for these violations is established in Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation. The emphasis is on how cameras and enforcement interact with these rules, signaling the seriousness with which drivers must comply to protect road safety.
When the traffic camera captures a driver turning into the oncoming lane, the offender faces a fine of 5000 rubles. Beyond the administrative penalty, the Road Patrol Service inspector may also suspend the driver’s license for a period ranging from four to six months, particularly when the offense occurs for the first time. This combination of monetary penalties and potential license suspension serves to deter risky maneuvers that endanger others on the road.
Repeated violations carry even harsher consequences, with the right to drive being revoked for a full year in many cases. This reinforces the message that persistent disregard for lane discipline will lead to progressively stricter penalties.
On January 10 of the current year, amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation took effect. Article 264.2 of the Criminal Code introduces criminal liability for individuals who, already subject to administrative penalties and deprived of the right to drive, again re-enter the lane of oncoming traffic. The changes reflect a shift toward treating repeat offenses as potential criminal wrongdoing, rather than purely administrative violations.
In practical terms, this means that a driver previously deprived of driving rights who repeats the offense may face criminal liability with penalties reaching up to two years of imprisonment. This framework underscores the gravity with which authorities view repeated violations that endanger public safety.
As the year progressed, at least one driver has already faced this elevated level of accountability, with a court verdict taking effect in early June. The case illustrates the real-world application of these legal changes and the ongoing enforcement efforts aimed at reducing dangerous driving behaviors on Russian roads. (Source: Code of Administrative Violations and the Criminal Code amendments—official summaries and court records.)