Experts say broad adoption of these measures is unlikely soon
Scholars and policymakers agree that the current restrictions are not poised for wide deployment in the near term. They point to several groups of reasons that influence this outlook, each affecting feasibility and acceptance in different ways.
- The cost burden. The alcohol interlock devices themselves run about 50-80 thousand rubles, with ongoing monthly maintenance costing several thousand more. This price tag makes widespread adoption expensive for many fleets and individuals.
- Technical complexity and reliability concerns. Real-world deployment, such as the 2010 trial on school buses in Tatarstan, showed that roughly half of the devices malfunctioned or failed to operate correctly, undermining confidence in the technology.
- Challenges with enforcement and control. Attempts to apply alcohol interlocks within car-sharing programs revealed that drivers can sometimes circumvent the devices, raising questions about enforceability and intent.
There is also a belief that grouping car-sharing drivers into a separate category through alcohol interlocks is not morally sound and could introduce new inequities.
In environments where the alcohol interlock is present or expected to be used, it tends to appear on expensive, heavy-duty vehicles. For ordinary car drivers, personal caution remains the primary line of defense and responsibility.
Design needs and the tires mentioned
Without proper tire provisioning and maintenance, public safety and reliable service cannot be guaranteed. The initiative discussed called for 7,000 tires in widely used sizes to support essential operations.
With community support partners, efforts began to fund tire purchases for the vehicles of the People’s Police and other emergency and logistical services, including ambulances, disaster-response teams, and humanitarian aid convoys. Contributions can be made on the designated collection page, supporting the tire program for critical responders and service vehicles.
These proposals were reported by Izvestia as part of broader discussions on road safety, fleet reliability, and emergency response readiness.