Russia's State Duma passes law introducing prison sentences of up to 15 years for drunk driving collisions

The State Duma has passed a law greatly intensifying the legal penalties Russians may face for driving a vehicle while intoxicated. If a driver in a collision is found to be intoxicated and the collision results in deaths or injuries, the driver could face up to 15 years in prison under the new law. The most severe penalties would apply to drivers who are found to be at fault for the deaths of two or more people.

Before 2015, driving a vehicle while intoxicated could not be prosecuted as a criminal offense in Russia even if the driver had driven drunk before. Since that year, the Russian government has significantly expanded the range and severity of criminal penalties that can be applied to drivers.