Russian drivers may soon face penalties for operating vehicles while under the influence of certain medications. The State Duma has approved a bill in its first reading that introduces liability for driving under the influence of drugs.

The proposed legislation aims to expand the existing definition of intoxication in the Code of Administrative Offenses, which currently covers alcohol, drug, and psychotropic substances. The new bill stipulates that drivers will be penalized if a medical examination reveals substances in their body from medicinal products that impair attention and reaction, coupled with clinical signs of intoxication.

According to lawyer Anastasia Yakovleva, the list of medications incompatible with driving could include sedatives, hypnotics, antiepileptic drugs, anesthetics, and drugs prescribed for Parkinson’s disease.

The penalties for driving under the influence of prohibited medications will be equivalent to those for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This could result in a fine of up to 45,000 rubles and a suspension of driving privileges for up to two years, as per Art. 12.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Yakovleva clarified that liability will only arise if both the presence of a prohibited substance is detected and clinical signs of intoxication are observed during a medical examination. This implies potential changes to the current medical examination procedure.

However, uncertainties remain regarding how traffic police inspectors will identify drivers suspected of taking prohibited medications. There is also no definitive list of medicines or guidelines for labeling them at pharmacies.