Highway code: from speed cameras to the crackdown on alcohol and drugs, what changes
The range of large-displacement cars that new drivers can drive is expanding, everything you need to know
Green light in the House , before the necessary passage in the Senate , for the new Highway Code , approved yesterday with 163 votes in favor and 107 against.
Zero tolerance for those who drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, those who drive with a mobile phone in their hand risk up to 1,000 euros and the suspension of their license if they repeat the crime . But there is a very heated controversy over the news regarding speed cameras : 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 one third.
From the M5s, with the deputy Luciano Cantone, the accusation against the majority begins, "you are winking at the various Fleximans", the name under which the authors of the chain of sabotage to the instruments hide. "You are telling the citizen - says the 5 Star representative - that he can run and speed with impunity for 50 minutes after the first speed camera fine." Criticism also from the Democratic Party, «a rule that looks to the past and not to the future of mobility, which does not respond to the appeal of the families of victims on the road to put safety first, which does not address the issues of speed, inattention and of respecting the rules", says Andrea Casu, Pd member in the Transport commission.
In the new text there is a clear 'no' to urban areas at 30 kilometers per hour , and the number of large-displacement cars that new drivers can drive is widened .
Here, in detail, are some of the main points of the bill approved by the Chamber.
MOBILE PHONES AND DANGEROUS DRIVING - The fine for those driving with a smartphone will range from a minimum of 250 euros to a maximum of 1,000. 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 mini automatic suspension (without the intervention of the prefect) of the license is also introduced for anyone caught behind the wheel with a smartphone in their hand: license suspended for a week if there are at least 10 points on it, but if the points are less than ten the license suspension will be 15 days. The times then double if the use of the mobile phone causes an accident or sends another vehicle off the road.
DRUNK DRIVING - 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 the 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. All cases of driving while intoxicated lead to the deduction of 10 points from the driving licence. It will then be prohibited to drive without having installed 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 - Anyone found driving while drugged, however, 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 the 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 the 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 VELOX - 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, if more favourable.
SUPERCAR - The ban on driving "powerful" cars for new drivers will increase from one to three years. 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.
(Unioneonline/vl)
