The MIA sparked reflection on the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Straight-Up on Drunk Driving - The Ministry of Internal Affairs Warns About Tightened Legislation. At a recent briefing, head of the administrative police department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, Askar Tazhenov, warned of the harsh consequences for driving under the influence of alcohol according to newly tightened legislation, as reported by Total.kz.
"First off, the periods of losing your driving privileges have been drastically increased. Whereas before, a first-time offender would lose their rights for 3 years, the new rules now impose a 7-year period. Secondly, a brand-new administrative penalty, arrest, has been introduced, added to the loss of driving rights," said Askar Tazhenov.
Now, a drunk driver, even with their first offense, can expect to lose their driving privileges for seven years and face a 15-day administrative arrest. If a drunk driver causes a traffic accident resulting in property damage but no injuries, they face a 20-day administrative arrest and a 7-year loss of driving privileges.
"Previously, a similar offense resulted in a 4-year loss of driving privileges without an administrative arrest. If such actions are repeated within a year after the punishment period, the penalty is a 20-day administrative arrest and an 8-year loss of driving privileges. Moreover, the responsibility for drivers' refusal to undergo a sobriety test has been strengthened. Since the beginning of 2020, such drivers have been deprived of their driving rights for 8 years, compared to the previous 3 years, and also face a 15-day administrative arrest," added Tazhenov.
While specifically revised penalties for drunk driving in Kazakhstan under tightened legislation are not openly discussed, many countries worldwide have cracked down on drunk driving with severe penalties, including hefty fines, license suspension, and imprisonment. For example, Cyprus has enacted strict laws against alcohol consumption while driving, also targeting drug-impaired driving[1]. Similarly, in El Salvador, a "Zero Tolerance" policy has been enforced, making driving with any blood alcohol level a criminal offense[5]. These examples highlight the global trend towards stricter enforcement, but the specifics for Kazakhstan remain undetailed in the available search results. So, if you're planning on a night out, keep this in mind and steer clear of the wheel!
In Kazakhstan, under the new tightened legislation, a first-time drunk driver may face a 15-day administrative arrest and a 7-year loss of driving privileges due to increased periods of losing driving rights. If a drunk driver causes a traffic accident resulting in property damage but no injuries, they will be punished with a 20-day administrative arrest and a 7-year loss of driving privileges. Repeated offenses within a year after the punishment period may result in an 8-year loss of driving privileges and a 20-day administrative arrest. The responsibility for drivers' refusal to undergo a sobriety test has also been strengthened, and such drivers may now lose their driving rights for 8 years, compared to the previous 3 years, and face a 15-day administrative arrest.
