The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of Russia has firmly reiterated its stance against the rumored introduction of fines for exceeding average speed limits on roads. Irina Volk, the official representative of the MVD, stated this through her Telegram channel, aiming to clarify some of the circulating misinformation.
Volk asserted, "No, we are fundamentally opposed to this practice. This stance remains unchanged." The comment came after various reports on social media claimed the MVD was considering implementing fines for exceeding average speed on certain road sections, which Volk has categorically denied, emphasizing the ministry's enduring position against such measures.
Fines for speeding based on average speed calculations were first introduced back in 2013, but were canceled by 2021. This cancellation was largely due to the Supreme Court ruling which determined it is not possible to define indefinite sections of the road as locations for committing speeding offenses. "Fines for exceeding the average speed have not been implemented since 2021," Volk reiterated, highlighting the law's current position.
Despite the opposition from the MVD, there are still discussions within political circles about reintroducing average speed monitoring. Just recently, deputies from Russia's Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and the Vologda Oblast have put forward proposals to measure average speeds under what they refer to as experimental legal regimes, which could potentially lead to penalties for violators.
Volk has suggested, though, the MVD could be open to changing its approach if there were official criteria established for identifying average speeds. Specifically, she noted, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs is ready to change its attitude to the issue of introducing responsibility for exceeding the average speed if the criterion for the average speed is officially established."
Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov chimed in on the debate, stating, "The issue of punishing drivers for exceeding average speed is still the same as it was before," which reinforces the concerns about the effectiveness of such measures.
The conversations about resuming penalties for average speed violations come at a time when public interest remains high, particularly concerning road safety and enforcement practices. Over the years, approximately 70% of fines issued to Russian drivers have been for minor speeding infractions ranging from 20 to 40 km/h, indicating the stringency of current enforcement practices.
Volk also urged the media to rely on verified information, especially against the backdrop of potential misunderstandings created by social media. She encouraged journalists to use credible sources when reporting on the issue, pointing to the misinformation spread previously.
Since the abolition of these average speed fines, some have noted the need for alternative enforcement methods to monitor road safety and traffic law compliance. This might contribute to calls for fresh approaches to speed regulation as public safety remains a priority.
Following the MVD’s recent statements, it is clear they will likely continue to advocate against the reintroduction of these fines, prioritizing clarity and reliability over potentially contentious legal frameworks. This reassertion of stance emphasizes the MVD's focus on maintaining effective and fair enforcement practices without exacerbation through challenging legislation.
The conversation around average speed fines resurfaces periodically, often linked to broader discussions about road safety measures. Nonetheless, as of now, the MVD stands firm against implementing such fines at least until there are satisfactory legal frameworks explaining how they would be operationalized.
To wrap up, it remains evident from Volk's recent statements and the MVD's position, the ministry is not prepared to change its mind about fines related to average speed without significant new developments or criteria to guide their enforcement practices.