Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At a recent session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, lawmakers reviewed and passed in the first reading a draft law introducing amendments and additions to the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has undertaken systematic reforms aimed at improving road safety regulations, preventing traffic accidents, and enhancing traffic law enforcement.

The draft law proposes the introduction of a new concept — “administrative warning” — as a form of penalty, applicable to traffic violations that pose low public risk. This initiative draws on international practices, where such measures as oral warnings or formal warnings are used instead of fines for minor first-time offenses, often with an explanation of the potential social consequences. These practices have proven effective in preventing repeat violations.

Currently, under Article 21 of the existing Code, only a court may release a person from administrative liability and issue a warning if the offense is deemed minor — and such a warning is not considered a penalty. However, the new Article 282 of the Code would introduce "administrative warning" as a formal punishment, which could be imposed not only by a court but also by an authorized official. According to Article 23 of the Code, this would count as an administrative sanction.

During the discussion, MP Ziyodbek Yunusov from the Adolat Social Democratic Party raised concerns about the potential for legal ambiguity, as the term “warning” would exist in two forms within the same Code — one as a non-punitive measure issued only by a court, and the other as a punitive sanction that can be applied by both courts and officials. He questioned whether this duality might lead to confusion or errors in enforcement.

Jahongir Shirinov, Chair of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Judicial-Legal Affairs, responded by clarifying the bill’s objectives, emphasizing that it aims to ease the burden on citizens in transportation-related issues and resolve practical challenges they face.

Following extensive debate, the draft law was approved in the first reading.