Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan has initiated the consideration of amendments to the Criminal Code aimed at tightening the penalties for traffic violations and transportation operation offenses that result in severe consequences.

According to the press service of the Parliament, the relevant proposals are being developed by the Senate Committee on Defense and Security.

During the discussions, senators held a meeting with representatives of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to review potential changes to Article 266 of the Criminal Code. Currently, this article classifies such crimes as having been committed through negligence. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of road traffic accidents involving drivers who had previously been stripped of their licenses due to repeated violations, as well as a rise in accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

According to statistics, from 2020 to 2024, more than 600 traffic accidents were registered where the drivers were found to be intoxicated. In 2023, 405 accidents were recorded involving individuals who had already been stripped of their driving licenses.

The need to tighten penalties for such offenses is actively discussed on social media. In this regard, the relevant Senate committee has developed proposals for imposing harsher sanctions depending on the severity of the consequences.

There is also a discussion about creating a working group with representatives from various ministries and government agencies to prepare the corresponding legislative proposal.

Under the current version of Article 266 of the Criminal Code, the following penalties are prescribed for traffic violations and transportation operation offenses that result in moderate or severe bodily harm:

A fine of up to 50 sizes of basic estimated value (18.75 million soums) and deprivation of the right to drive for up to 3 years;

Restriction of freedom for up to 3 years;

Imprisonment for up to 3 years.

If the violation leads to the death of one person, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 7 years. In cases involving the death of two or more individuals or other severe consequences, the maximum prison sentence may be up to 10 years.