Zero tolerance for those who drive incorrectly. The government's final green light has arrived new Highway Code. Among other things, today the Council of Ministers approved the text of the bill and the enabling law to amend the Highway Code and introduce new rules on road safety. The package, already presented in June, was examined by the Joint Conference which expressed a favorable opinion and proposed a series of changes. Now its parliamentary course can begin. Therefore, the new rules are not yet in force, and could be modified. The government's goal is to approve it by autumn. But let's see in the meantime how they change le rules and what the new Highway Code provides.
Suspended license and heavy fines for those who drive on their cell phones
who chats o talk on the cell phone (without speakerphone), the new rules require sanctions much saltier – ranging from 165 to 660 euros per year 422-1.697 euro - with license suspension of driving from 15 days to two months from the first violation. In the event of a repeat offense within the two-year period, in addition to the additional sanction of suspension of the driving license from one to three months (already provided for by the current code), the payment of a sum of between 644 and 2.588 euros is envisaged, plus point deduction from the licence: 8 if it is the first violation, 10 for the second. The suspension of the license (for those with less than 20 points) also applies to those who commit crimes dangerous infringements (against traffic, running a red light).
License revoked for 3 years for drunk driving
Anyone who drives while intoxicated or after taking drugs risks having their license suspended for up to 3 years. For repeat offenders, it is absolutely forbidden to drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel, for everyone else the limit is 0,5.
Then the "alcohollock” to be installed in the car at one's own expense: if the blood alcohol level is above zero the engine stops. Then there is the revocation of the license for life in case very serious crimes are committed while driving, such as fleeing after a road accident. In case of suspicion of drug use, the driver's license will be immediately withdrawn.
The new rules for new drivers
For the novice drivers the rules already in force remain: for the first three years the speed cannot be exceeded 100 kilometers per hour on the motorway and 90 kilometers per hour on the main extra-urban roads. But to these measures are added others which concern driving under the influence and driving large engine cars. In the first case there is an absolute ban on driving after drinking alcohol for new drivers and those under 21. In the second, young people who have just got their license cannot drive powerful cars for the first three years. In detail, it is not possible to drive combustion engine cars with a specific power, referred to the tare weight, greater than 55 kW/t but also vehicles for the transport of up to 8 people which have a maximum power equal to or greater than 70 kW. Additionally, if a minor is caught driving without a license and drunk or on drugs, he or she will have to wait until he or she is 24 years of age to drive a car.
Heavy fines also apply to those who exceed the speed limits
Finally i speed limits on Italian roads they remain the same: for highways is 130 and for freeways e main extra-urban roads 110. The limit can rise to 150 for three-lane motorways plus the emergency one but based on the type of route and traffic.
Instead they are getting worse sanctions: in the most serious cases the fines could reach 1.400.
Narrow for scooters and more cycle areas
New also for scooters. For private ones it will be necessary to. and an identification number, sort of targa. helmet becomes compulsory also for those who use sharing ones. It is also forbidden to drive on extra-urban roads with limits exceeding 50 km per hour, on pavements and pedestrian areas.
Among the new features is that of expanding the areas with cycle paths and identify cycle priority zones with a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour. For motorists, at least one and a half meters of distance is required to overtake a cyclist.
Close on speed cameras
With a view to regulating the use of Speed Cameras, we are moving towards "a stringent definition of the technical specifications of the devices and their positioning". The MIT proposes an increase in the administrative fine up to 1.084 euros and the suspension of the driving license from 15 to 30 days, exclusively in cases in which the same person commits a violation of speed limits within the inhabited center for at least two times within a year
Penalties for those who park in spaces reserved for disabled people or bus stops
Then they increase pecuniary sanctions in case of parking in the places reserved for Disabled or in the lanes reserved for bus stopsbus numbers. In the first case, for mopeds and two-wheeled motorbikes you will pay from 165 to 660 euros (now from 80 to 328) and for the remaining vehicles from 330 to 990 (now from 165 to 660). In the second, for mopeds and two-wheeled motorbikes between 87 and 328 euros (now between 41 and 168 euros) and between 165 and 660 euros for the remaining vehicles (now between 87 and 344 euros).
