The new Highway Code provided for by the Infrastructure decree is about to come into force and will have to be published on the Official Gazette by Wednesday 10 November. The new code includes important changes that will affect everyone's daily life. From fines for smartphones and for parking to the new rules for scooters, passing through the pink sheet and the driving license bonus. Here's everything you need to know.
ROAD CODE: FINES
The fines chapter is the most substantial one. The new highway code puts in black and white who will be fined drivers who drive with “smartphones, laptops, notebooks, tablets and similar devices which require, even temporarily, the removal of the hands from the steering wheel”. The sanction was already provided for by the current regulations, but in the absence of a clear list, many were trying to exploit the situation, appealing to "quibbles". With the new highway code, this will no longer be possible.
More severe fines and penalties for whom park in parking areas reserved for the disabled. The amount doubles from the current 84-335 euros to 168-672 euros. Heavy hand on the points on the licence: today 2 points are deducted, tomorrow they will be 6.
The penalties for those who ride a scooter or motorbike and carry a passenger have also changed without helmet. Until today the law provided that, by transporting a person without a helmet, the driver would be sanctioned only if the person in question was a minor. With the new highway code, the penalty will apply regardless of the passenger's age.
Severe fines for who throws objects from the vehicle: the amounts will range from 26 to 866 euros. Important news also for those who commit an infringement with a rental car. The customer will pay for the infringements committed and the companies will have to collaborate, providing the offices with the customer's personal details.
Finally, the Local societies who collect the fines will be required to publish an annual report containing information on the destination of the proceeds. The data must also be published on the institutional websites.
ROAD CODE: SCOOTERS
Here come the new rules on scooters. There will be no obligation to wear a helmet, or to have a license plate, but from 1 July 2022, the new scooters on the market must be equipped with arrows, stops and brakes on both wheels. Anyone who buys a vehicle without the required characteristics will have until 1 January 2024 to comply with the new legislation. Speaking of speed limits, it will not be possible to exceed 6 km/h in pedestrian areas, while in all other cases the limit drops from 25 to 20 km/h. Reiterate the bans on parking on the sidewalks and proceeding against traffic. After sunset, it will be possible to circulate only if the scooter is equipped with a fixed white or yellow light and a fixed red light at the rear. The electric ones must also be equipped with red reflectors. Instead, drivers must wear a high-visibility retro-reflective jacket or braces.
NEW PARKING RULES
From 1 January 2022, parking in the car parks marked with blue stripes will be free for people with disabilities, provided however that the specific parking areas are occupied and that the appropriate sign is shown on the car.
The number of parking spaces reserved for pregnant women and parents with children under 2 will also have to be increased.
THE NEWS ON THE PINK LEAFLET AND NEW LICENSES
The duration of the yield sheet is extended from 6 months to 1 year. The driving test for obtaining the B license can be repeated three times. New limits are foreseen for novice drivers who will be able to drive vehicles up to 74 HP of power alone and up to 95 HP of power on condition that a person under 65 who has held a license for at least 10 years is present at their franc. And again: those who practice driving without an instructor can be sanctioned with a fine ranging from 530 to 1.731 euros and with the accessory sanction of administrative detention of the vehicle for 3 months.
LICENSE BONUS
Since 1° January to 30 June 2022, young people under 35 who receive basic income or social shock absorbers will be entitled to a contribution towards obtaining a driving licence. The amount must not exceed 50% of the total up to a maximum of one thousand euros. Further condition: the applicant must prove that he has to work in the road haulage sector.
ROAD CODE: ELECTRIC RECHARGING
Those who need to recharge their electric car will be able to stop in front of the charging stations only for the time necessary to fill up. The prohibition does not apply from 23pm to 7am, except for the spaces reserved for fast and super-fast top-ups.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
New rules near pedestrian crossings. The priority obligation must be given both to pedestrians who have started the crossing and to those who are about to cross.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
In order to reduce emissions and combat pollution in urban centres, the new code provides for the following driving bans:
- vehicles of category M2 and M3 Euro 1 from 30 June 2022;
- M2 and M3 category vehicles of Euro 2 vehicles from 1 January 2023;
- vehicles of category M2 and M3 Euro 3 from 1 January 2024.
In addition, 5 million euros are allocated for 2022 and 7 million euros annually from 2023 to 2035 for the renewal of the public transport vehicle fleet.
OFFENSIVE ADVERTISING
Any form of advertising whose content offers sexist or violent messages, offensive gender stereotypes or messages harmful to respect for individual freedoms, civil and political rights, religious beliefs or ethnic affiliation or discriminatory with reference to sexual orientation is prohibited, gender identity or physical and mental abilities. In case of violation, the authorization will be revoked. The contested advertisement must be removed within five days.
VULNERABLE USERS
The new art. 3 of the Highway Code clarifies who the "vulnerable users" are. These are pedestrians, people with disabilities, cyclists who deserve special protection from the dangers deriving from traffic on the roads.
