OREANDA-NEWS  The fine for speeding by 20-40 kilometers per hour from January 1, 2025 will increase from 500 rubles to 750, and for drunk driving — from 30 to 45 thousand rubles, said RIA Novosti Director General of the professional legal group AID, lawyer David Adams.

At the plenary session on December 12, the State Duma adopted in the second and third readings a bill to increase fines for a number of traffic violations from January 1, 2025. The Federation Council approved this law at a meeting on December 20.

"Many fines have not changed for years, losing their relevance against the background of inflation and rising incomes. For example, the penalty for speeding by 20-40 kilometers per hour was previously 500 rubles. Starting from the new year, it will increase to 750 rubles," said Adams.

According to the lawyer, the increase in fines was a step aimed at modernizing the outdated system of punishments, and demonstrates the state's desire to strengthen their preventive effect.
"Special attention is paid to drunk driving. The fine for this violation increases from 30 to 45 thousand rubles. A similar fine is threatened for refusing a medical examination, which, in fact, amounts to an admission of guilt," Adams added.

The lawyer explained that such a tightening is dictated by the high probability of accidents due to drunk drivers and the desire of the state to increase the level of public condemnation of such behavior.

"The changes also affected the procedure for paying fines. Now, instead of 50 percent of the amount within 20 days, violators will have to pay 75 percent. However, the grace period has been extended to 30 days, which balances the new conditions and gives drivers more time to fulfill their obligations," the lawyer noted.