Winter cycle: six common fines for motorists
Winter roads are not only fraught with dangers associated with ice and snowfall, but can also lead to specific violations. Therefore, on days of difficult weather conditions, the skill and attentiveness of drivers are more important than ever. About what you can get warnings and fines for in winter, see the Izvestia article.
Dirty numbers: what is the penalty?
With the onset of cold weather, license plates are instantly covered with mud, reagents and snow. Traffic regulations require that the number be distinguishable from a distance of 20 m — at any time of the day and at any time of the year. If at least one symbol cannot be recognized, the driver is considered a violator.
— In winter, fines related to the preparation of the car for the season, its condition in bad weather and compliance with the rules in conditions of snow and ice come to the fore, — said lawyer Matvey Eliseev in an interview with Izvestia.
The driver, according to Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, faces a warning or a fine of 500 rubles for unreadable numbers.
If the numbers are intentionally hidden, another article comes into effect. Recall that the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional legislation and state construction supported and recommended for approval the law on the deprivation of rights for up to 1.5 years for the use of devices or materials that interfere with the identification of license plates of cars. Currently, a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of one to three months is provided for concealing license plates.
Penalty for summer tires in winter and requirements for winter tires
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 05/27/2023 No. 837 ("On Amendments to the Basic Provisions on the Admission of vehicles to Operation and the Duties of Officials to ensure road safety") states that it is necessary to change tires for winter tires from December 1. But given that winter comes at different times in different regions, it is necessary to focus on the temperature change schedule. The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation recommends changing tires to winter tires at a steady average daily temperature below +5...+7 ° C or on the eve of the first ice.
Traffic police officers will not fine or punish for not installing winter tires.
"In case of such a technical malfunction, the vehicle is not delayed or evacuated. It is important that the driver takes care of safety on the road himself," the Traffic Police stressed.
At the same time, there are no restrictions on all-season Velcro, such tires can be used all year round, the traffic police emphasized.
The decree requires the installation of winter or all—season tires on all wheels, and of the same type - either fully studded or friction, while the residual tread depth should not be less than 4 mm. It is important to remember that the main purpose of this rule is the safety of the driver and other road users.
Penalty for marking violations: what to do if it is not visible under the snow
In winter, snow cover often completely hides the road markings, but this does not relieve the driver of responsibility. In such conditions, the road signs remain the reference point. If the markings cannot be distinguished, but a forbidding sign is installed, the violation will be recorded by the sign. For driving into the oncoming lane, a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of 4-6 months is provided.
For example, if there is a "No overtaking" sign, but the markings are not visible, driving into the oncoming lane will still be considered a violation.
To challenge the fine, the driver is advised to provide photos or videos confirming that the markings were indeed completely hidden by snow.
Fine for parking on the lawn: the amount in Moscow and St. Petersburg
In winter, lawns are covered with a dense layer of snow, which often misleads drivers: externally, the site looks like an ordinary playground. However, the status of the territory does not change, and parking on the lawn remains a violation. In addition, even under snow, the root system of plants is damaged under the wheels of a car.
The amount of the fine is regional. For example, in Moscow for individuals it is 5 thousand rubles, in St. Petersburg — from 3 thousand to 5 thousand rubles. For officials and legal entities, the amounts increase significantly, reaching 300 thousand rubles for legal entities in Moscow, says lawyer Eliseev.
Penalty for transporting children on a tube behind the car
Riding tubing ("cheesecakes") tied to a car is not only extremely dangerous, but also prohibited by the rules. Transportation of people outside the car cabin, including on trailers, sleds or tubing, is strictly prohibited.
A fine of 1.5 thousand rubles is provided for violating the rules of transportation of people (Part 2 of Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation). If there is a child on the tube, the amount of the fine increases to 3 thousand rubles.
New Year's car lighting: penalty for garlands and extra light in winter
Decorating a car with additional lighting, especially during the festive period, can also lead to a fine.
As Sofya Lukinova, head of the legal department of VMT Consult, noted in a conversation with Izvestia, the use of garlands may be punishable if such illumination violates the requirements of technical regulations or creates interference for other road users.
Any additional lighting devices that are not provided for by the vehicle's design are considered a violation. According to Article 12.5.1 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, this entails a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles. In this case, the driver will be given an order to fix the problem within 10 days, otherwise it may be necessary to terminate the registration of the vehicle.
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