The Russian government has ordered the Ministry of Industry and Trade to tighten the rules governing child car seats and other child restraint systems as accidents involving children rise. This push comes in a report from Kommersant and reflects a broader effort to raise safety standards on the road. The initiative signals a careful review of what families can purchase and how those products perform in real-life crashes, with an eye toward ensuring that every child is properly secured in the vehicle. (Kommersant)
Officials say lawmakers, in cooperation with the State Traffic Inspectorate, are seeking changes that would remove the possibility of using any improvised or third-party seat solutions. The goal is to prevent substandard products from entering the market and to tighten certification, testing, and compliance processes. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is tasked with drafting proposals to strengthen these conditions by November 15, a timeline that underscores the urgency behind consumer safety measures. (Kommersant)
The core concern, according to the report, lies in a market flooded with various seat belt add-ons, adapters, and cheaper alternatives that can give a false sense of security. These products, often sold at significantly lower prices than dedicated child restraint systems, may not reliably hold a child in the event of a collision. Experts warn that such makeshift solutions fail to meet crash-test standards and can compromise protection. This gap between price and safety has been a persistent topic among regulators and caregivers alike. (Kommersant)
Current traffic regulations in Russia require a child under the age of seven to travel in a car equipped with a proper child restraint system. Children aged seven to eleven may ride with standard seat belts if their height and weight permit. Violations carry penalties, with fines reaching three thousand rubles. In the first nine months of 2023, Russia recorded 13.5 thousand traffic accidents involving victims under 16, a figure about 10% higher than the same period in the previous year. Of these, about 910 incidents involved a child traveling without a proper car seat. (Kommersant)
Earlier debates within the State Duma Transport Committee featured discussions in which Sergei Mironov, the leader of the Fair Russia faction, supported a proposal to impose criminal liability on scooter drivers. Lawmakers have also noted a surge in sales of personal mobility equipment in Russia, which roughly doubled in recent years and coincided with a rise in related crashes. The data point to a notable increase in the use of both passenger vehicles and mobility devices, highlighting the need for coherent safety standards across products used by young people. (Kommersant)
There were prior reports of proposals to fine drivers and revoke licenses for dangerous driving, reflecting a broader push toward accountability on the road. The evolving regulatory landscape in Russia continues to focus on protecting children by improving the quality of child safety devices and clarifying the responsibilities of manufacturers, retailers, and parents alike in ensuring that every ride is as safe as possible. (Kommersant)