Drivers could face stringent penalties for failing to yield to designated vehicles, despite lack of visible identifiers.
Russia Cracks Down on Drivers Failure to Yield to Special Vehicles
The Russian government is taking a harder stance against reckless drivers who fail to give way to special transport vehicles, even if they lack distinctive markings. A recent move by the government suggests stiffer penalties for these violations, such as fines reaching 7,500 rubles or even a one-year license revocation.
According to reports by "Kommersant", , a surge in instances where drivers disregard the right of way to vehicles under state protection has led to this decision. Initially, the Ministry of Transport proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations, requiring drivers not only to yield but also to change lanes or pull over.
Vasily Piskarev, chairperson of the State Duma's security committee (United Russia), put forward an initiative to amend Article 12.17 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Currently, a driver's failure to yield to a vehicle with a blue flashing light and audible signal incurs a relatively benign penalty: either a warning or a 500 ruble fine. However, if the vehicle bears distinctive markings, such as an ambulance, the penalty ranges from 4,500 to 7,500 rubles or license revocation for 3 to 12 months.
Piskarev's proposal seeks to impose punishment on drivers who refuse to yield to vehicles without such distinctive markings but with red and blue flashing lights.
Navigating the Matrosova-Razina Intersection: GAI's Tips
In a different context, the Traffic Police (GAI) offers useful guidance for drivers navigating the Matrosova-Razina Intersection. However, let's focus on the main issue at hand: the increased penalties for failing to give way to special vehicles in Russia.
- The current penalties for drivers who fail to yield to special vehicles with flashing lights but without distinct color markings (e.g., police or ambulance schemes) is relatively mild. A driver may only receive a warning or a 500 ruble fine.
- In contrast, for special vehicles with both flashing lights and distinctive color markings (like ambulances or police cars), the penalties range from a fine of 4,500 to 7,500 rubles or deprivation of the driver's license for three months to one year.
- The proposed new amendments, spearheaded by the head of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, Vasily Piskarev, propose much more severe sanctions. Under the new rules:
- The fine will increase to 7,500 rubles.
- Drivers may face deprivation of their driving license for up to one year.
- These changes aim to address instances where drivers continue to disregard unmarked special vehicles with flashing lights, potentially escorting state security personnel or protected individuals without traditional markings on the vehicle.
- The Cabinet of Ministers has also approved fines ranging from 5,500 to 7,500 rubles or six-month license suspension for drivers who do not yield to special vehicles, indicating a move towards harsher enforcement in this area.
[1] https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4835418 - Russian government backs tougher penalties for drivers who fail to yield to special transport vehicles with flashing lights.[2] https://www.1tv.ru/news/2021-03-10/read-the-text-of-the-duma-initiative-on-the-strictening-of-penalties-for-drivers-for-the-refusal-to-yield-to-special-transportation - Full text of the initiative to amend Article 12.17 of the Code of Administrative Offenses by Vasily Piskarev.
- The proposed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, spearheaded by Vasily Piskarev, reveal a shift in Russian politics towards stricter policy-and-legislation concerning road safety, particularly focusing on the important aspect of giving way to special vehicles.
- The Russian government's stance on reckless drivers who fail to give way to special transport vehicles is intensifying, as demonstrated by recent moves in policy-and-legislation, marking a significant development in the sphere of general-news.
