A report from the joint press service of the city courts details a case in St. Petersburg where a driver lost her license after snow covered her plate. The incident underscores how visibility for license plates can become a legal issue during winter weather.
Court records describe a Suzuki Grand Vitara with a license plate that could not be read because snow obscured it. The snow appeared to be placed intentionally to hinder identification rather than being caused by weather alone. The driver maintained she was not at fault and explained that the vehicle had been parked near her residence, with the plate simply covered by snow because of rain; she asserted there was no attempt to conceal it.
According to a traffic police inspector, the plate on the Suzuki Grand Vitara appeared unreadable due to snow, even though the car itself had been kept tidy. The officer signaled the driver to stop, after which the car was moved to a nearby yard along with other vehicles. Inspectors noted impressions of snow on the plate, evidence presented to the court as part of the administrative proceedings.
The court ruled the driver liable under Part 2 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, resulting in a two-month deprivation of the right to drive. The decision reflects how authorities treat plate obstructions that can impede identification and safety on the road.
Earlier reports mentioned a separate incident in Omsk where a schoolboy in a Lada crashed into a house, with authorities pursuing the chase that followed the incident. This connection illustrates ongoing concerns about road safety and the enforcement of vehicle identification requirements during pursuit and everyday driving in various regions.