Digital injection: gaps in the system of pre-trip inspections will be eliminated

In winter, information about a high-profile road accident involving a migrant taxi driver, who injured a passenger and left her without help on the highway, was widely disseminated in the Russian media. The ethical side of the case, when the culprit of the accident persuaded a girl with a damaged spine not to call the doctors, caused public indignation. According to media reports, the driver was registered with the Interior Ministry because of drugs. This case has exposed critical problems in the pre-flight inspection system, which should exclude people in a state of "altered consciousness" from driving. Izvestia figured out how to fix problems in the system.

Two sides of control

According to the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated May 30, 2023 No. 266n, medical examinations are mandatory for all passenger carriers. The legislation allows for two verification formats: remote and face-to-face. However, this is where the system vulnerability lies.

Remote inspection is a modern and transparent method, the average price of which is about 35 rubles. It involves video recording of the driver's identity and the measurement process with automatic data transmission to government systems. The possibilities for forgery are minimized here. As part of the procedure, the driver is identified by a reference photograph using a medical device, then independently measures key indicators (blood pressure and pulse, body temperature, alcohol vapor), answers questions about well-being. The decision on admission to work is made exclusively by a medical professional based on the recorded indicators of the employee.

On the contrary, an in-person examination, which formally implies contact with a doctor, in practice turns out to be in a "gray" zone. The legislation does not require video recording of face-to-face procedures, which is used by unscrupulous health workers. Online, you can often find stories that the doctor often does not even see the driver in the eye, allowing potentially dangerous citizens to board the flight — sick, tired or under the influence of prohibited substances.

Digital footprint instead of "paper" stamps

The problem of control is complicated by scale: millions of drivers work in the country with a limited staff of inspectors. The solution to the problem was proposed by the National Union of Medical and Transport Technology Innovations (National Union of IMTT) together with the Ministry of Transport of Russia. Experts have developed a system of measures aimed at eliminating opaque zones.

We are talking about the introduction of mandatory video recording for face-to-face examinations, the storage of records for at least one month, the transfer of all data to the information systems of the Ministry of Transport of Russia and the creation of a single digital platform for consolidating and verifying information about medical examinations.

In addition, it is proposed to deploy a network of public rapid health check points for drivers in order to increase the availability of official services.

Strategic priority

Road safety is a matter of national importance. In November 2025, Russia approved the "Road Safety Strategy until 2030/2036." According to the document, quality control of the driver's condition is no less important than the development of road infrastructure and complete technical safety of vehicles.

In this context, the initiative of the National Union of IMTT and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation to create a "digital footprint" for all types of inspections seems to be a necessary step towards ensuring industry transparency and saving citizens' lives.