Kyrgyzstan toughens penalties for drunk driving

Bishkek, Dec. 2, 2021 . / Kabar /. Penalties for drunk driving have been toughened, Kyrgyzstan’s Patrol Police said Thursday.

According to the new Code of Kyrgyzstan on offenses for driving under the influence of alcohol for the second time in one year - a fine of KGS 20 thousand (about USD 236) or involvement in community service for 40 hours, or arrest for a term of three to five days.

Under the previous Misdemeanor Code, if a driver is under the influence of alcohol, but has not been involved in an accident and no one is injured, he was fined KGS 17,500 (USD 206) and suspended from driving.

According to official data, in 2020 there were 6,126 traffic accidents in Kyrgyzstan, which resulted in the death of 754 people, 93 of whom were children.

In 2019, 6,663 traffic accidents killed 760 Kyrgyzstanis.