322 lives lost in 4 years due to drunk driving in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, approximately 600 road accidents occurred due to drunk drivers between 2020 and 2024, resulting in the deaths of 322 citizens. This was announced on March 14 at a meeting of the working group of the Senate Committee on Defense and Security.

During the meeting, representatives from relevant ministries and departments discussed proposals to introduce amendments and additions to Article 266 of the Criminal Code, which addresses violations of traffic safety regulations or the use of vehicles.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis has the authority to initiate legislation. In line with this initiative, the upper house of parliament is paying special attention to improving legal norms aimed at enhancing road safety.

While the offense outlined in Article 266 of the Criminal Code is currently recognized as a crime resulting from negligence, it has recently been observed that such acts are also committed by other road users. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals who have been deprived of the right to drive due to previous traffic violations or accidents. Additionally, those under the influence of alcohol, narcotic drugs, their analogues, psychotropic substances, or other mind-altering substances have been identified as contributing factors.

Between 2020 and 2024, 322 citizens died as a result of around 600 traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers. In 2024 alone, 94 people lost their lives in 405 accidents involving individuals deprived of the right to drive a vehicle.

These incidents have sparked public outrage, leading to calls for stronger legislation. Social media has been abuzz with demands for tougher measures to address this issue.

“Based on the opinions gathered from the relevant ministries and agencies, the Senate Committee on Defense and Security has developed proposals to strengthen the penalties for drivers who grossly violate traffic rules. The amendments and additions to Article 266 of the Criminal Code aim to address the severity of the crime,” the report states.

At the meeting, the proposals were discussed based on suggestions from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs, and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The formation of a working group comprising representatives from responsible ministries and departments was also considered. The group will prepare a draft law proposing harsher penalties for offenses under the aforementioned article of the Criminal Code, especially when committed by individuals who have lost their driving privileges or by those under the influence of mind-altering substances.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the members of the working group stressed the importance of continuing to collaborate with relevant ministries and departments to refine legislative proposals and further strengthen legal norms in this area.

It is worth noting that earlier reports revealed that 1,280 road traffic accidents occurred in Tashkent in 2024. Of these, 1,189 resulted in serious consequences, including injuries and 91 fatalities. There were also 720 pedestrian-related and 98 speed-related accidents.