The Russian government has supported a bill providing for an almost double increase in fines for transporting children without special car seats or boosters.
According to the document, the fine for drivers will increase from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, for officials — from 25,000 to 50,000 rubles, and for legal entities — from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles.
The bill aims to improve the safety of children in transport. The explanatory note states that the number of accidents involving violations of the rules for the transportation of children increased from 918 cases in 2020 to 959 in 2024, which, according to the authors of the initiative, indicates the inadequacy of current administrative liability measures.
The document has provoked mixed reactions. On the one hand, increasing fines may contribute to stricter compliance with the rules for transporting children, which will have a positive impact on safety. On the other hand, such changes to the Code of Administrative Offences are selective, mainly affecting traffic violations, while other areas of legislation remain unattended.
In addition, there is the problem of the availability of child car seats for owners of old cars. The secondary market is dominated by cars that are not adapted for the installation of modern restraint systems, especially in rural areas. In such circumstances, increasing fines without providing alternative solutions, such as improving public transport, may create additional difficulties for large families and residents of remote regions.
Up to 7 years old, a child must be transported in a car only in a child seat that is appropriate for their height and weight. From 7 to 11 years old, you can only ride in the front seat in a car seat or booster. In the back seat without a car seat, fastened with a regular seat belt, you can ride if the child's height is not less than 150 centimeters. After 12 years old, a child does not need a car seat.
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The State Duma will consider a bill on two mandatory child seats in a taxi
