Spiridonov's lawyer reminded about responsibility for drunk driving

Member of the Russian Lawyers Association (RLA) Maria Spiridonova reminded on January 6 that drivers in Russia face deprivation of driving license for up to two years and a fine of 30 thousand rubles for driving drunk.

"For driving a vehicle in a state of intoxication, the driver may be held administratively liable, providing for the deprivation of the right to drive for a period of 1.5 to 2 years, as well as the collection of a fine of 30 thousand rubles (part 1 of article 12.8 of the CAO RF)," she told "RIA Novosti".

The expert noted that the same responsibility threatens for transferring control of the car to a drunk person. Also drivers, who were previously subjected to administrative punishment for such a violation, may be held criminally liable.

Earlier, December 6, the Supreme Court (SC) of the Russian Federation recognized that the driver, who is in a drunken state, has no right to get behind the wheel, even if asked by a traffic police officer. The highest court considered the case of a Kazan driver who was deprived of his license for drunk driving. The man insisted that he was not going to get behind the wheel, but was forced to do so on the instructions of the traffic officer, who demanded to move the car from the roadway to the curb. When the driver complied with the order, he was immediately tested for intoxication.