MOSCOW, April 24 (RAPSI) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill toughening punishment for leaving a scene of personal injury road traffic accidents into law, according to the official website of legal information.

The State Duma adopted the document on April 17. The Federation Council approved it on April 22.

Previously, taking off drivers face driving license suspension for up to 1.5 years or administrative detention for up to 15 days. Tougher punishment for traffic offence or negligent vehicle maintenance resulted in heavy consequences was envisaged only for offenders under the influence of alcohol. Thus, drivers leaving a road traffic accident scene could evade harsher punishment because it is virtually impossible to ascertain a fact of alcohol consumption at a later date.

According to the signed law, drivers taking off and leaving injured persons at road traffic accident scenes would face compulsory community service for up to 3 years with deprivation of a right to hold certain posts for up to 3 years as well; or imprisonment of up to 4 years with deprivation of a right to hold certain posts for up to 3 years.

Hit-and-run fatalities would be punishable by prison terms ranging from 2 to 7 years with deprivation of a right to hold certain posts for up to 3 years. If a road traffic accident led to the death of two and more people a runaway responsible driver would face prison sentence varying from 4 to 9 years with deprivation of a right to hold certain posts for up to 3 years.