Cracking Down on Drunk Driving

Is drunk driving in Russia a problem? Increases in fines and harsh punitive measures indicate that the issue of intoxicated drivers remains a stubborn issue.

At the start of 2025, fines for drunk driving were increased from R30,000 ($370) to R45,000 ($560). The driver’s license may also be revoked for one and a half to two years, and drivers can also face arrest rather than a mere fine.

Regardless of harsh punishment, drunk driving is still common in Russia. Between January and June of 2025, R232 million (about $2.9 million) in fines were collected from intoxicated driving related offense. That's twice what was collected  in all of 2024. 

In addition to fines and arrests, a new law allows vehicles to be confiscated from drivers. In the related case, a second-time offender’s driver’s license was revoked, and he was sentenced to 240 hours of community service. Most notably, however, was the decision to confiscate his car, which became state property. Decisions to confiscate vehicles are not made with consideration of the owner’s reliance on the car or socio-economic status and can also be applied to the spouse or partner’s vehicle.

Tactical traffic stops are another strategy to catch drunk drivers. Starting November 2, traffic police in Moscow will intensify their efforts to catch intoxicated drivers, in response to a high number of recent cases. In less than a week, from October 27 to November 1, over 100 instances of drunk driving were identified in Moscow alone. An additional 190 individuals refused alcohol testing, which resulted in fines of up to R30,000 ($3700) and the revocation of the driver’s license for up to two years. 

Electric scooters are also subject to the new laws. Some classes of scooters require licenses and must adhere to many of the rules for larger vehicles; they are subject to many of the same regulations and punishments as those driving cars.  

If all else fails, riders can always request a sober driver to take them home in their own vehicles. Or they can stay home and watch the 2019 Russian rom-com Sober Driver, avoiding the potential fines and dangers of drunk driving altogether.