Penalties for Unapproved Vehicle Add-ons and Passenger Safety in Russia
In Russia, attempting to attach an improvised device like a cake cover or a sleigh to a vehicle is a serious risk. A car lawyer named Sergei Smirnov emphasizes that such acts can lead to severe consequences, including substantial fines and potential criminal liability depending on the harm caused to others.
When transportation involves passengers outside the vehicle cabin, the offender can be fined 1,000 rubles. But this is only part of the story. The act itself signals a broader issue: the vehicle must not be operated with equipment or modifications that were not originally designed or approved by the manufacturer. This is a strict safety standard aimed at preventing unpredictable handling or injury.
Using devices or modifications that are not specified by the vehicle’s design can trigger penalties, typically starting with a warning or a 500 ruble fine. Yet the severity of punishment rises if there is damage to health or other serious consequences.
According to Smirnov, serious health injuries resulting from such modifications can lead to traffic violations for causing harm. The law recognizes that even a seemingly small modification can escalate into a harmful incident, and the driver may face accountability for the resulting damage to health, whether it is mild or moderate.
If a passenger sustains severe injuries, criminal penalties may follow for the driver. In the most extreme scenarios, if a death occurs as a result of the incident, prosecutors may pursue charges under traffic safety laws and related driving offences. This could involve Article 264 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which covers violations of traffic safety rules and driving duties with serious outcomes.
Publicly available discussions and updates about these rules sometimes circulate on messaging platforms such as Telegram, where users share insights and opinions about road safety and legal accountability.
Note: The information reflects current safety regulations and penalties related to unapproved vehicle modifications and the safety of passengers. Enforcement and outcomes can vary by case and jurisdiction within Russia, and individuals are advised to consult official sources for the most accurate guidance.
- “Drive” can be read in Telegram.
Source: Radio Sputnik
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