Deputies of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, Igor Vysotsky and Anastasia Melnikova, have put forward a proposal to significantly raise penalties for drivers who lack an OSAGO policy. The initiative appears in the parliamentary press and signals a tougher stance on compulsory insurance for road users. The lawmakers argue that stricter enforcement is needed to reduce the number of drivers who operate vehicles without valid OSAGO coverage and to reinforce responsibility on the road.
The proposed change relates to 12.37 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The deputies call for revising the article so that drivers without a valid OSAGO policy face a fine of 5,000 rubles, a substantial increase from the current 800 rubles. If enacted, the proposed adjustment would increase penalties by more than six times and would aim to create a stronger financial deterrent for noncompliance among motorists.
In situations where a policy exists but has not been active at the moment of a stop by traffic police, or if the policy is not in the vehicle, the district deputies have suggested increasing the fine from 500 rubles to 3,000 rubles. The proposal emphasizes that the risk of driving without coverage remains a growing concern, with more drivers reportedly choosing to forgo OSAGO altogether. Proponents say that stronger liability is needed to align incentives and to protect other road users and insured drivers from potential losses.
Vysotsky and Melnikova contend that tightening liability in this area is essential in the face of a rising trend in OSAGO policy avoidance. They argue that the economic burden on the state and on individuals who do comply with insurance requirements should not continue to grow while noncompliant behavior is not met with meaningful consequences. The debate reflects broader discussions about how to balance consumer costs with the need for reliable compulsory insurance coverage on the roads.
Earlier reports indicated that members of the State Duma are considering bills that would bind the OSAGO policy to the driver rather than the vehicle and remove the wear factor from the calculation of compensation. This potential reform, noted by observers, would shift the legal framework around OSAGO and could affect how compensation is assessed in accident scenarios. The discussions are part of ongoing efforts to modernize motor insurance rules and to increase accountability for drivers who neglect mandatory coverage. In coverage of these discussions, outlets such as socialbites.ca highlighted the evolving policy questions and the implications for drivers, insurers, and road safety efforts.