The government has approved a roadmap for drivers of electric scooters and other SIMs

Russian authorities plan to tighten control over the movement of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices (PIMs). The road map approved by the White House contains new fines for traffic violations, mandatory registration of SIM cards in a digital registry and the creation of a user identification system. Citizens on electric scooters will also be required to stop at the request of the traffic police and undergo a medical examination for intoxication.

The “road map” of “measures aimed at additional legal regulation of the development of SIM and ensuring traffic when using them” was approved by the government of the Russian Federation. This was reported by TASS, the information was confirmed by a Kommersant source. Project map of the Ministry of Transport presented back in September“Kommersant” was able to familiarize itself with the final, already approved text.

The plan consists of 27 points, which are designed for 2023–2025. By the end of the year, the Ministry of Transport will prepare draft amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses that will increase responsibility for users.

Now, let us remind you, the maximum fine is 1.5 thousand rubles. It is still unknown how much it will amount to in the new edition.

Amendments must be adopted by December 29. It is possible that their entry into force will be delayed.

In 2024, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Digital Development will submit draft amendments to the traffic rules to the government. The first package of amendments to the rules relating to SIM entered into force on March 1 (Kommersant talked about him many times), now the authorities are making additional adjustments. The concepts of “SIM”, “electric bicycle”, “moped” and “motorcycle” will be clarified, but how is not yet clear.

The rules will also be supplemented with the term “person using a SIM card for movement” and the concept of “ahead of a pedestrian.”

SIM users and cyclists will be required to stop at the request of the traffic police and undergo a test for intoxication. The traffic rules will also spell out stopping and parking rules for SIMs (and cyclists), and new signs will be introduced indicating parking for electric scooters.

According to the Scientific Center for Road Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, over the six months of this year, more than 1 thousand accidents involving SIM were registered (+181.9%), in which 12 people were killed and more than 1 thousand people were injured, including 432 children.

In accordance with the plan, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Development and the Ministry of Economic Development will also prepare amendments to the federal law “On the organization of road traffic.” It will stipulate the obligation of all SIM owners (individuals and legal entities) to enter information about their vehicles into the federal register being created, and this will become a government service that will be regulated by a separate regulation (similar to registering a car). The same law will describe new “mechanisms” for controlling the movement of SIM (the capital’s Department of Transport has already announced that it is testing the recording of violations using automatic cameras), requirements for the organization of parking and the obligation of the authorities to inform the population about the restrictions imposed on SIM. It is planned to develop “scientifically based proposals regarding” the definition of measures for identifying persons using SIM cards for movement.” What exactly we are talking about here is also not yet clear.

Taking into account the massive distribution of electric scooters and the need for parking, the requirements for comprehensive programs for the development of transport infrastructure in settlements and urban districts (approved by government decree), as well as the rules for preparing documentation for traffic management (approved by order of the Ministry of Transport), will change. As new road signs are introduced, the profile GOST 52289 with rules for the use of signs and markings will also be supplemented.

The regions, in accordance with the government plan, will develop and approve plans “to create and integrate infrastructure for SIM into urban transport systems.”

These plans should include infrastructure to separate the flow of electric scooters (and bicycles) from pedestrians.

The Ministry of Health will also be involved in the activities included in the road map. In 2025, the department will conduct research work to determine “characteristic injuries, their treatment and rehabilitation when using SIM,” and will also develop recommendations for “reducing the level of injuries, treatment and rehabilitation of victims in incidents using SIM.” All cases of accidents with electric scooters will be included in the official reports of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and Rosstat.

Ivan Buranov