The Senate approved the reform of the Highway Code with 83 yes, 47 no and one abstention. The measure, which has already received the green light from the Chamber, becomes definitive. All over 350 amendments presented by the opposition were rejected. The rules that do not require implementing decrees will be in force from publication in the Official Journal, followed by those that do require them later.
PHONES ON THE WHEEL. The fine for driving with a smartphone will range from a minimum of 250 euros to a maximum of 1,000. An automatic one-week suspension is also introduced if you are caught with your phone behind the wheel and you have at least 10 points on your license. If the points are lower the suspension is 15 days. In the event of a repeat offense, the fine increases to 1,400 euros, the suspension of the driving license can last up to three months and a reduction of 8 to 10 points is added. The suspension times then double if the use of the mobile phone causes an accident or sends another vehicle off the road.
DRIVING UNDER DRUNK.Zero tolerance: if the blood alcohol level is between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per liter you receive a fine between 573 and 2,170 euros, with a suspension of your license from 3 to 6 months. If your blood alcohol level is between 0.8 and 1.5 grams per litre, you are punished with a double penalty, imprisonment and a fine (arrest of up to 6 months and a fine of 800 to 3,200 euros). License suspension from 6 months to one year. If the blood alcohol level is higher than 1.5 grams per litre, the violation is punished with a prison sentence and a fine (arrest from 6 months to a year and a fine from 1,500 to 6,000 euros) and suspension of the driving license from one to two years. What can you actually drink? It depends on your weight, height and whether you have a full stomach: generally you are safe with a glass of wine or a can of beer or a small glass of spirits. For newly licensed drivers, the rules already in force provide for a zero alcohol level for three years. All cases of driving while intoxicated lead to the deduction of 10 points from the driving licence. Among the sanctions there is also the obligation to install the alcohol lock on the car, a device that prevents the engine from starting if a blood alcohol level above zero is detected.
DRIVING UNDER DRUGS. Zero tolerance for those who use drugs. Anyone found driving while drugged will no longer necessarily have to be in a state of psycho-physical alteration, but it will be enough for them to test positive for the revocation of their license and a three-year suspension.
SPEEDING. Fine from 173 to 694 euros for anyone who exceeds the maximum speed limits by more than 10 km/h and no more than 40 km/h. If the violation is committed within a residential area and at least twice within a year, the fine is increased to between 220 and 880 euros with suspension of the license for fifteen to thirty days.
ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS. Revocation or suspension of driving license from six months to one year for those who abandon animals on the street. Furthermore, you risk up to seven years in prison if this causes an accident resulting in deaths or injuries.
BIKES AND SCOOTERS. More protection for cyclists: in addition to the increase in cycle paths, there is an obligation for motorists to maintain a distance of one and a half meters when overtaking a bicycle. For scooters, a license plate, helmet and insurance are mandatory. The bill imposes a ban on driving against traffic and driving only on urban roads with a speed limit not exceeding 50 km/h.
VEHICLE CAMERA. In the event that multiple fines are received on the same road section, in a period of one hour and under the responsibility of the same body, only one fine is paid: the most serious one increased by a third.
SUPERCHARGER The ban on driving “powerful” cars for new drivers will increase from one to three years (but only for those who get the license after the law gives the go-ahead). They will not be able to drive vehicles with a power exceeding 75 kW/t and cars with a maximum power of 105 kW. But the power limit has softened a bit. The current Code sets the limit at 55 kW/t for motor vehicles in general and 70kw/h for cars.
