Moldovan parliament tightens punishments for drunk drivers

Chisinau, 19 July /MOLDPRES/ – The drunk drivers will be fined up to MDL 25,000 or community service for up to 60 hours, in both cases depriving them of the right to drive their cars for a period from 6 months to 1 year. The Parliament adopted today, in final reading, several legislative changes regarding tightening of punishment for drunk drivers.

According to document, a new article on provisional lifting of driving licence will be introduced into Code of contravention until it is delivered the judgment. The court shall examine the decision of determining agent, within three days at the latest, with request conclusion or rejection. The term in which the licence of the driver will be issued shall be included within time limit for sanction enforcement.

Similarly, it is proposed to supplement the Criminal Code with a new article – deprivation or cancellation of the right to drive means of transport. It consists in banning to drive any type of means of transport on public roads. The deprivation of the right to drive means of transport may be applied by the court for a period of one to three years. The cancellation of the right to drive means of transport can also be applied by the court, with subsequent regaining of the driving licence.

However, if there are grounds for supposing that the driver is alcoholic or drug influence, the person will be removed from driving. In these cases, the driver is required to accept alcohol testing, medical examination and blood sampling.

Also, if the driver is caught driving drunk, his car will be taken to a special car park or nearest police subdivision.

Likewise, drivers caught driving drunk and those ones deprived of the right to drive by court decision will be required to attend an anti-alcohol and anti-drug programme.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor M. Jantovan)