Government targets reckless driving and minor access to vehicles in road safety push

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the legislative proposals designed to strengthen public health protections, counter narcotics trafficking, and improve road safety regulations. During the presentation, officials noted that the Oliy Majlis passed a law expanding accountability for the illicit trade of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and potent chemicals.

The legislation introduces a completely new chapter to the Criminal Code entitled "Crimes against public health and the gene pool." This chapter enforces stricter punitive measures for offenses that threaten the wellbeing of citizens, focusing heavily on protecting the younger generation.

To address evolving methods used by criminal networks, lawmakers established specific, standalone criminal liabilities for operating clandestine drug laboratories, facilitating illegal narcotics distribution networks, and maintaining drug dens. Overall, the new law toughens penalties for more than 10 separate types of criminal offenses. The president signed the law, stressing its role as a vital legal foundation to reinforce anti-narcotics operations and secure public health.

The presentation also covered a draft law titled "On narcotics and potent substances," which was formulated by an interagency working group. Officials emphasized that the surge in synthetic drug production and the rapid spread of narcotics via the internet require modernized regulatory frameworks.

The draft law outlines 7 core pillars of state policy, which include building a societal "immunity against drug addiction" among youth and women, blocking online distribution channels, and expanding systems for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The document reallocates enforcement and regulatory responsibilities across 14 state bodies while mandating enhanced electronic tracking of controlled substances throughout the entire supply chain, from initial import to final sale. Proposals to tighten controls over chemical precursors and improve communication between enforcement agencies were also discussed.

Turning to transportation issues, authorities placed a sharp focus on road safety. The review panel pointed out that allowing minors to drive vehicles frequently leads to severe traffic accidents resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. To curb this behavior, the working group proposed stricter liabilities for vehicle owners who permit underage driving, alongside updated strategies to ensure general discipline on the roads.

President Mirziyoyev approved the submitted proposals and directed relevant ministries and agencies to accelerate implementation measures against drug trafficking and ensure higher road safety standards.