Criminal liability is introduced for repeat offenders driving under the influence of alcohol.

In 2024, Uzbekistan witnessed 2,200 fatalities on its roads due to traffic accidents. A total of 8,000 drivers were penalized for operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, with many repeating the offense. The newly enacted law by the Senate introduces criminal liability for driving under the influence. It also establishes penalties for "aggressive driving" and "drifting."

https://kun.uz/ru/news/2025/01/24/vvoditsya-ugolovnaya-otvetstvennost-za-povtornoye-upravleniye-avtomobilem-v-sostoyanii-alkogolnogo-opyaneniya2025-01-25 08:52:08

In 2024, Uzbekistan recorded 9,364 traffic accidents, resulting in 2,203 fatalities and 8,901 injuries. This information was reported by Senator Kutbiddin Burkhonov during a plenary session of the Senate on January 24.

Throughout 2021, there were 40,542 instances of driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2022, this number rose to 47,365, while in 2023, it decreased to 41,866, and in 2024, it dropped further to 31,436. In 2024 alone, around 8,000 drivers, who had previously faced administrative penalties for driving while intoxicated, reoffended. From 2020 to 2024, approximately 600 traffic accidents occurred due to driving under the influence, leading to 322 deaths.

Senator Kutbiddin Burkhonov emphasized that the primary causes of these accidents are citizens' disregard for established responsibilities and a lack of knowledge regarding traffic rules. Furthermore, the absence of effective measures in legislation also contributes to the increase in traffic accidents and fatalities.

The new law adopted by the senators amends the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Administrative Codes, establishing accountability measures for violations related to road safety.

According to the amendments to the Criminal Code, criminal liability is introduced for repeated driving under the influence, which may involve the suspension of certain rights for up to three years, corrective labor for a period of two to three years, or imprisonment for the same duration.

The Criminal Code will also include:

accountability for violations in the preparation and retraining of drivers of motor vehicles, conducting exams, and issuing driver's licenses;
accountability for operating a vehicle by an individual who has been deprived of the right to drive;
accountability for breaching safety regulations while operating vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or a mixture of gas and diesel fuel.

The law also amends the Administrative Code, introducing accountability for hooliganism in transportation, such as "aggressive driving," "drifting," "chess-like" movement, creating obstacles on roads, and other forms of violating driving culture.

The complete text of the bill approved by the senators has not been published. All provisions will come into effect after the law is signed by the president within the timeframes specified in the document.