The Ministry of the Interior has submitted a draft amendment to Article 12.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The proposal would punish driving by those found to have substances in their body that are part of drugs, with penalties including deprivation of rights and a fine of 30,000 rubles. The draft targets drivers whose bodies contain drugs that impair performance, while excluding ethyl alcohol, narcotics, and psychotropic substances from the list of disqualifying factors.
The explanatory memorandum accompanying the draft notes that driving while intoxicated, regardless of the source, presents grave risks to life and health. It argues that those who have used drugs that can slow reaction time and reduce attention should be held liable for operating a vehicle.
As a consequence, the authorities propose reformulating the explanatory notes to Article 12.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The proposed text states that administrative liability applies if a medical examination shows intoxication from other intoxicants that impair alertness and reaction, including substances from the drug category, even when they are not linked to ethyl alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic substances, their analogues, or new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances.
What are the potential risks?
A person who consumes a drug that impairs performance, even if taken for a legitimate medical reason, may not be fit to drive if reaction time and attention are compromised. This holds true even for medications typically considered safe under standard use when driving is involved.
The draft includes a preliminary list of drugs that could pose a driving hazard under current labeling. The list is indicative, and future regulations may expand the scope to cover additional substances.
- TeraFlu, TeraFlu Extra – not recommended for driving
- Coldact Flu Plus – refrain from driving
- Fervex – refrain from driving
- Antigrippin-ANVI – refrain from driving
- Rinza – abstain (causes drowsiness)
- Ibuklin – monitor use (acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- AnviMax – exercise caution
- Coldrex – avoid when dizziness occurs
Experts quoted by the publication note that the wording of the bill remains broad, potentially bringing a wide range of drugs under scrutiny. The risk is that many medications could be interpreted as disqualifying. For people with chronic illnesses who rely on ongoing treatment, there is a concern that fear of punishment might lead some to abandon essential therapy, a move that could seriously threaten road safety.
Source: regulation.gov.ru and the Russian newspaper coverage of the matter.
Public input on the driving question
The discussion around the proposal has also touched on broader road-safety themes and the balance between medical necessity and public protection. Stakeholders emphasize the need for clear guidance so that people receiving ongoing medical treatment can manage their health without facing undue penalties while behind the wheel.
In framing the policy, authorities appear to seek a consistent standard for determining intoxication and driving fitness, with emphasis on the actual impact on driving abilities rather than the mere presence of a substance in the body.
As the debate continues, the public is reminded to stay informed about how new rules could affect everyday driving decisions and to consult medical professionals about how medications may interact with driving tasks.
According to official channels, the emphasis remains on safeguarding lives by addressing impairments that can accompany drug use, while ensuring fairness for those who manage chronic conditions with appropriate medical oversight.