Russia slashes car safety regulations due to lack of imported parts

Russia's popular Lada Granta cars are now being manufactured without many of the safety features that have been standard for decades.

Avtovaz halted production of Lada cars back in March, when it was unable to obtain many of the imported parts needed due to international sanctions over its war in Ukraine. Nothing daunted, the Russian government has found what it probably thinks is a really neat workaround: produce cars without airbags, ABS brakes, electronic stability control, or emergency retraction locks seat belts. The new cars also fail to fulfill modern emissions standards.

Russia is apparently also considering bringing back production of the Soviet-era Moskvich passengers cars, last manufactured some 20 years ago (also lacking many modern safety features). So, if nobody will sell you the parts, just slash safety regulations. Problem solved! 

Russia already has a huge problem with road fatalities, with some 15,000 deaths per year according to advocacy group Road Safety on Russian Roads. This latest move will almost certainly add to that toll. 

Russia is currently vice-chair of the United Nations' World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.