Russian traffic police may start patrolling the country's roads in unmarked cars next year, Deputy Interior Minister Viktor Kiryanov told the TASS news agency on Wednesday.
“We need to identify rude, aggressive drivers, but it can be very hard to do,” he said. “When a driver sees a police car, they change their behavior,” he added.
He clarified that the cars would be driven by plainclothes officers and equipped with video recording devices.
In October, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that it was important that the police do not abuse their powers while implementing the measure, the BBC's Russian service reported.
“Patrol officers will need an appropriate level of training and legal knowledge,” he was quoted as saying.
In October, Russia's Interior Ministry issued a decree introducing tougher tests for learner drivers. The change will come into force by the end of the year.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.