Federation Council Proposes Phasing Out Right-Hand Drive Cars in Russia

In Russia, there is a growing need to implement measures aimed at gradually replacing right-hand drive cars with left-hand drive vehicles that are safer for Russia. This was stated by the head of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy, Andrey Kutepov. The senator sent a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

The politician drew attention to the increase in the number of road accidents involving cars from Eastern countries. He was concerned that in 2024 there were 16,000 such accidents, which is 0.9% more than in the previous year. This accounts for 12.2% of the total number of accidents.

Kutepov believes that Russians need to be gradually switched from right-hand drive to left-hand drive cars. He proposes gradually introducing regulatory and restrictive measures, as well as creating state programs for those who want to buy a safer car.

Auto journalist Maxim Kadakov emphasizes that Russians buy right-hand drive cars because it is often the only way to buy a comfortable and safe car for a reasonable price.

According to the "Autostat" agency, there are about 3.87 million passenger cars with right-hand drive registered in Russia. Of these, approximately 1.99 million are located in the Far Eastern Federal District, and 1.43 million are in Siberia. The share of such cars in the total car fleet of the country is about 8.2%.

Read also on the topic:

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs is considering banning right-hand drive cars
• Car exports from Japan have increased in Russia
• Lada with right-hand drive is sold in Moscow