In Russia, the number of convicted for repeated drunken driving decreased by 16%

In 2025, 34,431 drivers who already had a criminal record or administrative penalty for a similar crime were convicted of driving while intoxicated. This is 16% less than in 2024 – then there were 41,112 such convicts. About it write “Vedomosti” with reference to statistics of the judicial Department of the Supreme Court. The figures in the new Russian regions were not taken into account.

According to Article 264.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia, for repeated driving while intoxicated, the driver faces punishment up to two years in prison, a fine of 200 to 300 thousand rubles, up to 480 hours of compulsory work and up to two years of forced labor. In addition, the driver will be deprived of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years.

Also, according to paragraph 1 of Article 104.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia, a drunk driver can confiscate a vehicle if it was used during the commission of a crime.

According to statistics, drivers aged 36 to 40 years were most often caught for repeated violations - they account for 7,345 convicts. The next age group that was more likely to be caught repeat offenders were drivers aged 31 to 35, accounting for 6,815.

Most often, convicts had secondary general education (9944) or secondary vocational education (15424). At the same time, most of them (16993) were able-bodied, but did not have a permanent source of income.

3,317 people were sentenced to imprisonment last year. 3006 was sentenced to forced labor. The most common punishment was non-custodial compulsory labor, which was imposed on 21,798 convicts. Only 1,438 people received a suspended sentence.

In addition, according to statistics, the number of convicts for traffic violations that resulted in the negligence of the death of two or more people, including those committed while intoxicated, decreased by almost 26%. Last year, 362 drivers were convicted of these crimes, 126 more than a year earlier.

As a member of the public council at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Igor Morzharetto told in an interview with Vedomosti, the key reason for the positive dynamics is that a car can be confiscated for drunk driving. "Not everyone, but some are starting to think that driving drunk by car can be too expensive," he said.

In June, the Russian government announced plans to force drunk drivers to undergo treatment for addiction. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice until 2027 should work out the issue of motivating drivers caught driving in a state of intoxication to medical rehabilitation, follows from the plan of the Cabinet of Ministers.

On May 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that simplifies the procedure for registration of drivers in a state of alcoholic intoxication.

In July 2022, amendments to Articles 264.1, 264.2 and 264.3 of the Criminal Code entered into force in Russia, which provide for the confiscation of cars for repeated driving under the influence or without a driver's license, multiple exits to the oncoming lane or significant speeding.