Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the government in November to increase control over the issuing of drivers' licenses, toughen punishments and raise fines for driving violations in the country where 35,000 people died in car accidents in the past year.
The document introduces far higher fines than earlier. For instance, a person who has not taken a driving exam will be fined 2,500 rubles ($95) for driving, an average 200% rise.
Driving with suspended license will cost the driver 2,500 rubles or further suspension for six months to a year.
A drunk driver with suspended license will be fined 5,000 rubles ($190), or can even be arrested for 15 days.
Driving through a red light will be fined 1,000-1,500 rubles ($38-57), a 900-1,400% rise, or license suspension for two to four months.
Refusal to pull over on request by a traffic police officer will be fined 2,000-2,500 rubles ($76-95), or the driver's license will be suspended for 18 to 24 months. The fine currently stands at 200-500 rubles.
The bill, which was supported by 320 votes with 226 required for passage, provides for surveillance camera photos to be sufficient evidence for the court to consider offences in the driver's absence.
