From what I've heard, he was apparently "under the influence". Whether or not that is just pure speculation or not, I don't know, but it might explain the bad driving.
Just on the safety precautions regarding the racking, being this was in Russia, I'm not at all suprised if it is lack. From my experience with Russian business practices, let's just put it this way, they are "questionable".
Would not suprise me one bit if they cut corners or paid an official to look the other way.