1. Speeding violations
Speeding remains the most common offense on many roads. The fines scale with how much a driver exceeds the posted limit.
Penalties depend on the amount exceeded:
- Exceeding the limit by 20 to 40 km/h results in a fine of 500
- Exceeding by 40 to 60 km/h carries a fine ranging from 1000 to 1500
- Exceeding by 60 to 80 km/h can lead to a fine up to 2500 or a suspension of driving privileges for 4 to 6 months
When the speed limit is surpassed by more than 80 km/h, the license can be revoked for six months. If the violation is recorded by cameras rather than a police officer, a notification by mail may impose a fine of 5000.
2. Mobile phone and seat belt
Urban authorities are tightening enforcement of belt use and phone use while driving, with cameras increasingly monitoring these violations. In many capitals, these infractions are detected by photo and video systems, and camera networks continue to expand.
Not wearing a seat belt can lead to a fine of 1000 rubles. Attempts to evade the rule by tucking the belt behind the back or using only the upper strap may still be detected by cameras, which look for proper restraint across the torso and lap.
Phone use is particularly costly. The fine can be 1500 rubles even if the device is merely held in the hand while driving.
Authorities emphasize that using a phone while behind the wheel raises the risk of an accident, with texting increasing that risk further. Hands-free use is not a guarantee of safety, and it is often treated as a violation if the device is operated manually while driving.
3. Not keeping your distance
Safe following distance is a core safety principle. The rules stress the driver’s responsibility to maintain a space in front and a lateral buffer to avoid collisions. While there is no fixed numeric minimum in the rules, the practical standard is to judge distance by the situation and conditions.
Many crashes occur when a driver fails to keep enough space in front. Veteran drivers advise considering half the speed as a rough guide for distance in clear conditions, but this may not apply in heavy traffic or urban environments where other vehicles weave between lanes.
Another widely taught method is the two-second rule. The idea is to pick a fixed roadside marker and ensure at least two seconds pass after it passes the vehicle ahead. A precise count like “one hundred one, one hundred two” helps pace following distance. In poor road conditions, it is prudent to extend that safety margin by five to six seconds, adjusting the count to roughly 2.5 to 3 times the base interval.
4. Driving through a prohibited traffic light
Running a red or yellow signal is among the most dangerous infractions. Under the relevant portion of the Code of Administrative Violations, a first offense can bring a fine around 1000 rubles. If the vehicle crosses the stop line after the signal changes, the penalty can be about 800 rubles, and a repeated violation within a year may carry a fine up to 5000 rubles. A police detection of the offense may also result in a suspension of driving privileges for several months.
It is important to understand that attempting to slip through a yellow light by entering oncoming traffic is treated as a violation, since yellow signals are treated as prohibitions alongside red. In practice, some jurisdictions may not impose fines for merely passing through a yellow signal, but the risk remains high and penalties vary by location.
Note that passing a prohibition signal when a reversing traffic light is in effect is interpreted as entering a lane designated for oncoming traffic, which carries its own set of penalties.