Igor Morzharetto
Recently, the State Duma has adopted unusually many laws and government decrees, whose entry into force has been delayed until next summer. Why? The pre-election season begins: in December, elections to the State Duma and local authorities are coming, and in March 2012 we will vote for the President of Russia.
If you introduce unpopular laws now, you can cause discontent among the population and coolly spoil the good picture of future elections. According to experts, there are simply no other understandable reasons for deferring innovations for a year. These laws and regulations are extremely unpleasant for the electorate. In most cases, we are talking about raising taxes, fines and introducing some unpopular, draconian measures. Many of these documents directly concern motorists. I’ll tell you about the main innovations that await us.
HIT PENALTY ON THE ROAD
So, from July 1, 2012 for parking at a pedestrian crossing, at bus stops or on sidewalks, you will have to pay from 1 to 1.5 thousand rubles. (instead of the current 100-300 rubles.). This is an average of Russia. But residents of the two capitals, as well as guests of Moscow and St. Petersburg, will pay 5 thousand rubles for parking or stopping where it is forbidden by sign or marking. The same penalty for Muscovites and Petersburgers was provided for stopping and parking further than the first row, on tram tracks, bus stops (and closer than 15 m to them), as well as on the sidewalk. The same amount will cost parking with the engine on for longer than five minutes in residential areas of both capitals.
When this law was held in the State Duma (one day was enough for discussion and approval!), The deputies explained the need to postpone its entry into force for a year with a good purpose: during this time, cities should create the necessary number of legal parking lots. However, for example, in Moscow, intercepting parking lots are only being designed, and the newly-introduced lanes for public transport survived parked cars on neighboring streets, where they can now neither pass nor drive. The city authorities promised to compensate for the space taken out from the sidewalk (in particular, on Leningradsky Prospekt) with new parking spaces - but only columns along the edge of the road appeared in return.
For the organization of parking of cars of the State Duma from one of the main thoroughfares of the capital "took a bite" five rows; because of this, in particular, I even had to change the organization of movement in the center of Moscow. This fact alone already describes the attitude of deputies to the problems of ordinary people quite well. By the way, in Soviet times, the cars of the Gosplan officials located in this building had enough of a patio for parking
For the organization of parking of cars of the State Duma from one of the main thoroughfares of the capital "took a bite" five rows; because of this, in particular, I even had to change the organization of movement in the center of Moscow. This fact alone already describes the attitude of deputies to the problems of ordinary people quite well. By the way, in Soviet times, the cars of the Gosplan officials located in this building had enough of a patio for parking. For the organization of parking of cars of the State Duma from one of the main thoroughfares of the capital "took a bite" five rows; because of this, in particular, I even had to change the organization of movement in the center of Moscow. This fact alone already describes the attitude of deputies to the problems of ordinary people quite well. By the way, in Soviet times, the cars of the Gosplan officials located in this building had enough of a patio for parking.
On June 1, the moratorium on inspection will end, and from that time on, the law will enter into full force, establishing new rules for maintenance. It is already clear that the procedure will significantly rise in price (so far, as cautious deputies suggest, up to 2-3 thousand rubles) and is unlikely to become easier. So, if there is an opportunity to undergo inspection this year, it is better not to put off.
As early as July of this year, the government increased by 10-50% the territorial OSAGO ratios for 169 out of 299 Russian cities. The insurance policy has also risen in price for car owners with power from 50 to 100 hp, as well as for young drivers with little experience. The fees of insurers immediately increased by 22%. But this is not enough - the government is already considering a project to increase payment limits and tariffs, agreed with the Ministry of Finance. The goal seems to be good: to raise the limit of payments for harming life and health of those injured in road accidents from the current 160 thousand to 500 thousand rubles, and for property damaged in an accident - from 120 thousand to 400 thousand rubles. But at the same time, the price of the policy itself will certainly increase! According to the most conservative estimates, one and a half times. This decision is also expected to enter into force next summer. But will it be easier for the victim to get money from the insurance company? I doubt it …
The bailiffs did not stand aside. According to Sergey Sazanov, First Deputy Director of the Federal Bailiff Service, a bill is being prepared that will allow a driver’s license to be taken from alimony or loan debtors. The official is convinced that the right to drive any type of transport is often the only thing that can be deprived of a person who does not want to pay debts. According to S. Sazanov, the document has already passed a series of examinations and approvals and will be submitted for discussion by deputies of the State Duma in the near future. Its action will begin … correctly, just from the second half of 2012.
In addition, Russia may return to the already forgotten practice of accounting for traffic violations: coupons will reappear, where inspectors will put down “penalty points”. This was stated by the head of the State Duma Committee on Legislation Vladimir Pligin. “I think that this issue will not be raised in the framework of the current work of the State Duma, but in the next political period our colleagues will very likely return to it,” the deputy said.
And this is far from all the unpleasant news! In July of this year, the government expert group for the preparation of Strategy 2020 decided on what means to develop the road system: we must again take money from motorists. Although now, transport owners cover about 40% of budget expenditures on the road system (30% - excise taxes on fuel, 10% - transport tax). But this is not enough, so excise taxes on fuel in 2012–2015 will increase per liter not by 3 rubles, as laid down in the Tax Code, but another two and a half times - by 7–8 rubles. Then almost a third of the retail price of gasoline will go to the construction and repair of roads. In addition, fees for parking cars at municipal parking lots will also be sent for these purposes.
At the same time, by the way, I remind you that in 2012, in some regions (ten to twelve are still called), the introduction of a single real estate tax may begin. His rate, as promised, will be 0.1% of the market value of the property (in the future, it may grow). It is not clear whether this is a lot or a little, because no one has explained who and how will consider this very “market value”. Some deductions are also promised, but it is clear that a new tax can well hit the pockets of everyone, including motorists. After all, you will have to pay for the right to own not only an apartment or a summer house, but also a garage …
OLYMPIC RESERVE
In principle, the reasons that prompted deputies and officials to take unpleasant measures are known. The budget deficit is now about 5% and does not want to decline - despite the fact that the price of oil (sales taxes form the basis of the budget) is quite high. If it goes down, all budgeted social programs, as well as spending on organizing major international sports competitions, may be in jeopardy. It is clear that the state is trying to lay straws and invents different types of new taxes and fines. Which, of course, are often easiest to remove from car owners - they are, from the point of view of the state, the most prosperous. Have a car - pay!
Although there is another way to replenish the treasury: try to at least somehow fight corruption, which has reached unprecedented proportions. Even the president is forced to state that more than 1 trillion rubles are stolen every year from state purchases alone! And this, it seems, is just the tip of the iceberg …
