Drink-drivers will face driving bans of up to three years

Penalties for drink-driving have been tightened. Drivers caught at the wheel after consuming alcohol may now have their driving licences revoked for up to three years and face fines ranging from 80,000 to 150,000 KGS.

This was announced in an interview with Birinchi Radio by Aitikul uulu Baikazy, a legal adviser to the Main Directorate for Road Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and a police captain.

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, has signed the Law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic Concerning Road Safety”.

Until 2023, driving under the influence carried a fine of 17,500 KGS and a requirement to perform community service for a period of 30 to 40 hours. However, these measures did not yield the expected results, so a provision was later introduced to suspend driving licences for a period of one year. Despite this, the number of drink-driving offences did not decrease, and as a result, the penalties were further tightened.

Under the new amendments, drivers caught driving under the influence will have their driving licence suspended for two years and will also be required to pay a fine of 80,000 KGS.

If a driver refuses to undergo a medical examination to determine their state of intoxication, they will have their driving licence revoked for three years and be fined 100,000 KGS.

Furthermore, individuals who knowingly hand over the wheel to an intoxicated driver will be held liable. A fine of 20,000 KGS is imposed on individuals, and 55,000 KGS on legal entities.

Furthermore, if a driver under the influence causes a road traffic accident resulting in material damage, they face a fine of 100,000 KGS and a driving ban of up to three years.

In the event of a repeat offence of driving under the influence of alcohol, the offender faces a fine of between 100,000 and 150,000 KGS, as well as imprisonment for up to one year.