Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a bill enforcing a zero alcohol limit for drivers, the Kremlin said on Friday.

Current legislation allows drivers to get behind the wheel with a small amount of alcohol in their blood.

The new legislation aims to eliminate drink driving accidents, which are all too common in Russia.

The bill was approved by the lower house of Russia's parliament, the State Duma, earlier in July.

State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov earlier said tougher punishments for drunk driving, enforced in the past few years, including the suspension of drivers' licenses and penalties of up to 15 days in jail, had been effective.

He said the number of car accidents caused by drink drivers had decreased by 11% and the number of those killed in such accidents dropped 35% in the first five months of 2010.

MOSCOW, July 23 (RIA Novosti)