The Ministry of Health has officially developed new procedures aimed at examining drivers for both alcohol and drug intoxication, intending to strengthen road safety and accountability among drivers. This proposed legislation, disclosed on the federal portal of normative legal acts, will, if adopted, become effective on September 1, 2025.
A significant feature of the new regulations is the requirement for written consent before any examination for intoxication can take place. This shift marks a substantial change from previous rules, which allowed for testing to be conducted without consent. Reported by the Ministry of Health, "Under the new rules, examination will not be carried out without the written consent of the driver or their legal representative." This prioritization of consent is likely to influence how drivers respond to requests for testing.
Should drivers choose not to consent to the examination, there will be immediate consequences. A certificate of refusal will be issued, which leads directly to penalties: offenders will receive fines and face the loss of their driver’s license for at least one year. These stringent sanctions are anticipated to enforce higher compliance rates among drivers who may otherwise resist testing.
The new procedures also cater to scenarios where drivers are involved in serious accidents. If a driver sustains significant injuries, health officials will obtain blood samples for analysis; this will occur without measuring breath alcohol levels. The intention behind this provision is to gather accurate toxicological data without risking the well-being of injured drivers.
Alongside these changes, the draft document introduces amendments to the list of substances subjected to testing. Mephedrone will be added as one of the narcotic and psychotropic drugs requiring screening via blood or urine samples. Given the increasing concerns over the usage of such substances, the inclusion aims to broaden the scope of driver examinations.
Overall, these measures reflect the Ministry's commitment to enhancing road safety and promoting responsible driving behaviors among the population. By enforcing stricter rules on consent and clearly delineated consequences for non-compliance, the regulatory body aims to address the pressing issues of alcohol and drug use among drivers, thereby fulfilling its public health mandate.
The upcoming regulations may spark debate among legal circles and the public about personal rights versus community safety, but the goal remains clear: reduce intoxication-related incidents on the road. With effective implementation, the new procedures could significantly impact road safety practices, encouraging responsible behavior among all drivers.