[45201] Storm over proposal to reduce speed limit tolerance on Russian roads

Storm over the reduction of the speed limit tolerance in Russia

A public storm has erupted in Russia following a statement by the Moscow Traffic Management Center (TsODD), which called for reducing the non-punishable speed range (the "buffer") from 20 km/h to just 2-3 km/h. According to the CEO, Mikhail Kizlik, modern cameras are already technologically prepared to document violations at such a low speed due to a minimal measurement error of about 1 km/h, as reported by Russia Today and other channels.

The initiative was met with harsh reactions. While economic figures and media outlets such as The Economist noted that this is an effective way to increase state revenue from fines, others expressed firm opposition. On the Telegram channel of Vyacheslav Volodin it was written emphatically that "there is no such issue," and that the leadership of the Duma and the government are united in their opposition to the proposal, for fear of creating "unnecessary tension in society."

Sharp criticism was also heard from the Telegram channel DS, which called the move a "covert" tax disguised as a safety measure, and argued that it would force drivers to constantly shift their gaze from the road to the speedometer. A spokesperson at Gazeta.Ru also noted that this is a "controversial safety measure" that does not constitute a real solution to traffic problems.

Following the wave of objections, it was reported by RT that the issue has been officially removed from the public agenda, with most members of the Duma expressing support for maintaining the status quo of 20 km/h as a permitted excess.