Russian police warm to women drivers

For one day, Russia's women drivers can bend the rules

By the BBC's Sarah Rainsford

As a special gesture to mark international womens' day female drivers who commit minor traffic offences in Ekaterinburg, Russia are not being penalised.

Instead of fines, police officers are handing out gifts of flowers and perfume, congratulating them warmly on the holiday - and sending them on their way.

The police are not just stopping offenders - there are presents for all women drivers in what officers say is a mark of respect for the fairer sex on this, their special day.

The city's traffic police are not known for such generosity. Officers are poorly paid and rarely let even the most minor offender escape without a fine - official or otherwise.

Role reversal

But in a rare and welcome role reversal, it's the police themselves who are doing the sweet talking on Friday.

Officers warn this is strictly a one-off

Even on a normal day, male drivers are the most likely to be stopped in Russia.

There are fewer women behind the wheel - and police say they are generally more careful.

But as one Ekaterinburg officer confided, they do have a particular weakness:

"Women are always parking in bus stops," he said. "They insist on being as near as possible to the shops."

For one day at least, they can get away with it. But officers warn this is strictly a one-off, and they will be offering something rather less pleasant than flowers tomorrow.

After all, there is a whole day's lost wages to make-up.