Here are all the news, approved by the dal government on the highway code. I’m a iron fist against: drugs and alcohol at the wheel.
Highway Code, the bill
Thus, the cabinet approve the bill for changes to Traffic Laws. A measure so close to the heart and strongly desired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini. Go down in history to be renamed”zero tolerance“.
Appellation conquered due to the stringent measures against theuse of cell phones while driving, consumption of alcohol and drugs. These are accompanied by other rules.
For example, the new regulations on the subject of Speed Camerasthe restrictions for novice drivers. Finally theobligation to wear a helmet on scooters, which must be insured and registered.
Point by point, here are all the new approved rules. We remind you that, before entering into force, they will have to complete all theparliamentary processcon Camera e Senate which may change some points.
No driving on cell phone
Warning: those who are caught driving and using the smartphone will be punished. Whether it’s a phone call or a text message, it’s there short driving license suspension from 7 to 20 days.
Obviously it varies according to the points left on the driving permit: 7 days of suspension if you have between 10 and 19 points. 15 days of suspension from 1 to 9 points, which double going up to 14 and 30 days if the driver is responsible for a road accident. Salvini comments: “On the use of the mobile phone while driving there will not only be the deduction of points from the license, but also the suspension, given that the 15% of accidents are the result of distraction due to chats and WhatsApp“.
Drunk driving and alcohol lock
Hard punch for those who get behind the wheel tipsy. There is the suspension and revocation of the license for up to three years. The new rules provide zero tolerance for those who have already been convicted of drink driving.
Which is imposed on prohibition of alcohol before getting behind the wheel and will thus be able to drive only with a blood alcohol content of 0 g/l. The ban on driving with a rate of up to 0.5 g/l will be valid for two or three years depending on the case and you will be able to drive only if it is installed on the vehicle (at your own expense).
Precisely, the system Alcolock, a device that prevents the engine from starting if it detects a blood alcohol level higher than zero. Soon, the Ministry of Transport will publish regulations soon.
Driving under the influence of drugs
Driving in a state of mental and physical impairment after taking drugs will be punishable by the license withdrawal. When police officers determine that a driver has taken drugs. These will be able to carry out a saliva sample to ascertain the use of prohibited substances.
In the event of a positive outcome of the preliminary investigations, they will be able to withdraw the license pending the tests carried out in the laboratory. Then, impose a ban on a new driver attainment for three years.
Speed limit news
Other news on the new Highway Code. Who exceeds the speed limit from 10 to 40 km/h, in some cases, it risks the mini-suspension of the licence. The scheme provides for the deduction of points for drivers with more than 20 points available, which will be added to the suspension of the driving license for 7 days for those with 10 to 19 points and for 15 days for those with 1 to 9 points, with the duration doubling in the event of an accident.
Furthermore, the mini-suspension of the license will apply, with the same logic, also for failure to comply with warning signs Wrong way and no overtaking, traffic against trafficfailure to respect precedence, the overtaking on the right and for the non-use of the security belt or gods child seats or gods anti-abandonment devices.
News for speed cameras
The government has decided to make on the subject of speed cameras new directives and defining them: “No money-eating systems, less bureaucracy, use only of certified tools, protecting citizens from insane fines“. Furthermore, the approval procedures for speed detection systems will be equivalent to those for type approval. In the coming weeks, a regulation will be established to standardize the methods of approving speed measuring instruments.
While, the devices for the automatic detection of violations will be able to simultaneously ascertain two or even more. on highways and main extra-urban roads, the police forces will be able to ascertain some particularly dangerous violations (ban on the circulation of certain vehicles, reversal of the direction of travel, circulation on unauthorized lanes, improper occupation of the acceleration or deceleration lanes, failure to use the position lights while stopping or stop, violation of toll collection regulations) using normal cameras and the relative photographic or filmed documentation.
From F1 comes the Safety Car
In the event of an accident, the traffic police and law enforcement cars will be able to slow down traffic and act as a deterrent for further accidents by acting as Safety Car for vehicular traffic.
Attention, in some Italian motorway sections, this practice is already in use. But still far from being applied throughout the national territory.
ZTL, how they change
Here are also the restricted traffic areas they will have to be sparingly and common sense. “Stop excessive harmful and unclear limitation. The mayors have the task of proposing balanced solutions that protect the environment, freedom of movement and work”.
Furthermore, at the exit the driver who entered the restricted traffic area when the prohibition was not in force will no longer be penalised. Furthermore, there is also a tolerance of 10% in areas where there is a maximum stay time.
The new power limits for novice drivers
The limit is raised from one to three years the limit within which novice drivers: will not be able to drive the most powerful cars. This, often erroneously defined as “large engine capacity”. Cars with internal combustion engines with specific power higher than 55 kW (75 CV) per ton and/or with a maximum power equal to or greater than 70 kW (95 CV). In the case of electrified, hybrid or electric cars, the specific power rises to 65 kW (88 CV) per ton. Also, a underage who drives without a license and drunk or on drugswill not be able to obtain the driving license until the age of 24.
License plate, helmet and insurance: the scooter revolution
A hot spot, which will lead to new controversies in the coming days. Above all, for many the scooter is the means that helps the light mobility of everyday life.
Here, the new rules of the Highway Code also impose that, in order to circulate, all scooters must have one targa it’s a’insurance. This regardless of age, must be driven wearing a mandatory casco approved. So those traveling without insurance are provided for fines from 100 to 400 euros.
Turn signal lights and brake lights are also mandatory: anyone caught without them will be fined with a penalty from 200 a 800 euro. Some rules of conduct have also been changed: absolute prohibition of traffic against traffic and on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h.
For sharing scooters, the service manager will have to install automatic systems that prevent them from functioning outside the city areas in which circulation is permitted. Furthermore, the new highway code provides for a “no parking in the wild and on sidewalks“.
How will scooter owners take it? There are many controversies including those of sharing managers. Above all, there is the risk of a ‘cemetery’ due to the abandonment of these means.
We remind you that many scooters have been purchased with eco-incentives.
Cyclists
“In pedestrian areas, urban cycle roads and cycle zones, the drivers of motor vehicles admitted to circulation, in compliance with the general rules of precedence, must pay particular attention to pedestrians and cyclists“.
Here’s how it reads new paragraph 4-bis of the Highway Code. The government envisages new measures for the protection of weak road users, with particular regard to cyclists and “drivers of predominantly electric propulsion cycles”.
The rules governing the “technical characteristics and the mode of circulation of bicycles, pedal assisted bicycles, propulsion cycles and predominantly electric propulsion scooters” will be changed. In addition, new rules will be established for the circulation of “atypical vehicles” and criteria will be defined “for the design and construction of road infrastructures and urban furnishings aimed at the safety of users of two-wheeled vehicles and personal mobility devices to be adopted by decree of the Minister of Infrastructures and Transport”.
More safety for level crossings
Level crossings will also be modified to ensure greater safety, by installing new signs and carrying out more checks, including through cameras. As stated in the text of the decree: “At level crossings without barriers or semi-barriers, a luminous device with two red lights can be placed on the right side of the road, at the expense of the railway manager…