Stricter Rules on Alcohol, Phones and Speed

Road Code, changes are coming. Alcohol, drug use, phone use while driving, speed, abandonment of animals: The Road Regulations are being tightened to limit traffic accidents and loss of life. According to Ansa’s news, the new measures approved by the Parliament last week will be published in the Official Gazette published by the State Printing House today. The countdown begins for the legal regulation called vacatio legis, and the implementation of new fines and suspensions will begin on December 14, before Christmas. Due to the Christmas and year-end holidays, drivers will need to be more careful to avoid hefty fines or license suspension. Only some of the rules in the Gazette will require enforcement measures: these are rules introducing license plates and helmets for electric scooters. There will be up to a year to refactor the entire code. Some penalties have been increased. But above all, the license suspension will be easier to trigger, with all that entails. Smartphones and seat belts Be careful when using your smartphone while driving. The fine will range from a minimum of 250 euros to a maximum of 1,000 euros. However, the biggest deterrent effect may be the introduction of an automatic suspension of your license for one week (if you have at least 10 points on your licence); this period may be increased by up to 15 days if scores are below this threshold. The same goes for those caught not wearing seat belts or driving in the wrong direction. For repeated offenses, the fine is up to 1,400 euros, the license can be suspended for up to three months and a deduction of between 8 and 10 points is imposed. Suspension periods are doubled if phone use causes an accident or causes another vehicle to run off the road. Alcohol and drugs Zero tolerance is expected for those who use drugs and drive. The new rule is; It doesn’t matter if you are not in a state of psycho-physical change. A positive test will be enough for license revocation and three-year suspension. The ban also applies to those who drive after drinking alcohol. For repeat offenders, an alcohol interlock, a device that prevents the engine from starting when an alcohol level specifically above zero is detected, was introduced. However, it should be noted that fines are significant. If the blood alcohol level is between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per liter, a fine of 573 to 2 thousand 170 euros and driver’s license revocation for 3 to 6 months are imposed. If the blood alcohol level is between 0.8 and 1.5 grams per liter, the penalty is double, both imprisonment and monetary (up to 6 months in prison and a fine of 800 to 3,200 euros). License suspension for 6 months to 1 year. If the blood alcohol level is above 1.5 grams per liter, the offense is punishable by imprisonment and fines (6 months to one year in prison and a fine of 1,500 to 6,000 euros) and a driver’s license suspension of one to two years. What can you practically drink? It depends on your weight, height, and whether you’re on a full stomach: you’ll usually be safe with a glass of wine, a can of beer, or a shot of spirits. Current rules for new drivers mandate a zero alcohol level for three years. All instances of drunk driving will result in a 10 point deduction from your licence. Excessive speed is already punished. High speeds and animal abandonment However, the crackdown on fines concerns those caught speeding twice in one city. The fine normally ranges from 173 to 694 euros for those who exceed the maximum speed limits by no more than 10 km/h and no more than 40 km/h. If the violation is committed in an urban area and at least twice a year, the fine is increased from 220 to 880 euros and the driver’s license is suspended from fifteen to thirty days. Another new measure is regarding the abandonment of animals. It takes six months to a year for the licenses of those who abandon their animals to be canceled or suspended. Additionally, there is a risk of imprisonment for up to seven years if an accident causes death or injury. Parking ban The penalty for parking ban remains 42 euros. But be careful. In case of a ban on parking and stopping at intersections or lanes reserved for the stopping and parking of two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles, buses and all public transport vehicles, the penalty stipulated in the current legislation is increased from 41 euros to 87 euros for the minimum amount. piece. Fines for parking in disabled areas are doubled: the minimum fine for mopeds increases from 80 euros to 165 euros, and for other vehicles from 165 euros to 330 euros. The obligation to maintain a distance of one and a half meters when overtaking by bicycle also comes into effect immediately. New drivers A transition rule is provided in the rules for new drivers. The ‘powerful’ driving ban for new drivers will increase from one year to three years, but only for those who get a license after the law is passed. Instead, the threshold has been relaxed: new drivers will not be able to drive motor vehicles with an output greater than 75 kW/t and vehicles with a maximum power of 105 kW. The current Law generally stipulates a limit of 55 kW/t for motor vehicles and 70 kW/hour for automobiles. Scooter The new law will also cover electric scooters, for which helmet, license plate and insurance obligation will apply. Electric scooter users will no longer be able to travel on bicycle paths, but only on urban roads with a speed limit below 50 kilometers per hour. Regarding speed limits in urban areas, Matteo Salvini explained that ’30 km/h zones may continue to be created by mayors, but only in some parts of the city’. The Minister stated that for this reason, speed cameras ‘can continue to be installed’, but mayors will be asked, through the Governorships, to ‘justify why a speed camera has been installed on that road’. ‘Let’s say repeated speed cameras on wide roads with two or three lanes to make money will no longer be possible.’