On March 6, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of Russia publicly reiterated its strong opposition to the reintroduction of fines for exceeding average speed limits on roadways. Irina Volk, the official representative of the MVD, emphasized this position amid circulating rumors of policy reconsiderations.
Volk made it clear, stating, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia is ready to change its attitude to the issue of introducing responsibility for exceeding the so-called 'average speed' if we have an officially established criterion of 'average temperature by hospital.'" This colorful remark points to the Ministry's demand for clearer, standardized criteria before any punitive measures can be put back on the table.
The spotlight on this matter came after discussions arose about reintroducing points-based fines for exceeding average speed thresholds, sparked by comments from Valentin Ivanov, the Deputy Minister of Transport. Ivanov had indicated thoughts toward reestablishing these fines but also noted the absence of concrete advancements on the matter.
Volk's response to the media was pointed and assertive, allowing no ambiguity about the MVD's stance. "Our position on this issue remains unchanged," she stated, dismissing conjecture circulating around media reports claiming the Ministry was developing measures for average speed fines. Instead, Volk encouraged journalists within the media sphere to rely on verified information coming from official sources.
This issue is particularly relevant as it has broader public safety implications and raises questions about enforcement accountability on the roads. The potential return of average speed fines had been proposed as part of safety measures by authorities within regions like Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and Vologda Oblast, where local governments suggested pilot projects to explore the effectiveness of such measures.
Despite these local initiatives, the overarching response from the MVD indicates significant skepticism toward implementing avg-speed fines without established guidelines and criteria. If the Russian government is to deploy laws aimed at penalizing drivers for exceeding average speeds, it would require standard protocols, something the MVD insists is currently lacking, and they refuse to act without this basis.
The MVD's hesitation also reflects the broader public concern about the functionality and fairness of speed enforcement measures. How can the government expect compliance and accountability when the rules remain ambiguous?
Currently, as it stands, any discussions about introducing such policies seem stalled at the moment. The MVD's clear directives signal to the Ministry of Transport and legislative bodies about the complexity of speeding laws, particularly when it involves technology and public enforcement.
While the discussions may be underway, the Ministry's insistence on clarity points to the need for comprehensive planning concerning any future enforcement measures. The lack of standardized criteria to govern average speed fines poses questions about public trust and the legal framework surrounding driving regulations.
Meanwhile, as the conversation about road safety continues, the MVD's pressing call for official standards before any enforcement against average speeds suggests there may still be hurdles to address before any legal changes can be implemented.
The increase of road safety initiatives and measures to prevent reckless driving remains on the agenda, but until clearer criteria are established, the average speed fine policy remains under heavy scrutiny and rejection. The public looks on with anticipation, hoping for future solutions but recognizing the importance of clear and fair implementation practices.
For the moment, the MVD's position against the current proposal for average speed fines stands firm, holding the line against implementing measures without sufficient evaluative frameworks. The next steps hinge on collaboration between ministries to draft possibilities for future legislative processes concerning roadway regulations.