Uzbekistan Sends Road Safety Bill to Senate for Review

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan has approved in the third reading a bill aimed at improving the road safety system and sent it to the Senate for consideration.

The document proposes amendments and additions to the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Code of Administrative Liability, and the Law "On Road Traffic".

The bill proposes introducing criminal liability for allowing a minor to drive a vehicle if this results in moderate or serious harm to a victim’s health, a person’s death or other serious consequences.

It also proposes increasing administrative liability for allowing minors to drive vehicles, the illegal organisation of and participation in car racing, as well as leaving trucks on roadside areas at night when this creates a threat to road safety.

The amendments also provide for increased liability for violations of procedures for removing vehicles from registration and exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h.

Separate provisions of the bill concern driving under the influence of alcohol and avoiding relevant medical examinations. It is also proposed to temporarily suspend the option of paying administrative fines at a discounted rate for individuals who repeatedly commit certain serious traffic violations.

According to the authorities, adoption of the document will improve the effectiveness of measures to prevent road accidents, strengthen protection of the lives and health of road users, and ensure stricter liability for serious violations.

Following discussions, lawmakers approved the bill in the third reading and submitted it to the Senate.