Italy passes one of Europe's toughest traffic laws

Italy has taken a landmark step by passing one of the strictest traffic laws in Europe.

After months of discussion, the Senate approved the reform of the Traffic Code, which includes severe punishments for several infractions and new regulations for vehicles such as bicycles and scooters.

The Chamber of Deputies had already approved the proposal, and now the ball passes to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. With his signature, the changes will be published in the Official Gazette and, after 15 days, will officially come into effect.

The law promises to reduce accidents and increase safety for all road users.

Main changes to the Italian Traffic Code

1. Using a cell phone while driving

• Fines range from €250 to €1.000, depending on the severity of the infraction.
• Drivers with less than 10 points on their license may have their license suspended for 15 days; with more than 10 points, suspension of 7 days.
• Recidivism increases the fine to up to € 1.400 and suspension of the license for up to 3 months.
• Additional penalty: loss of 8 to 10 points on the license.

2. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs

• For drivers with an alcohol content between 0,5 and 0,8 g/L:
  • fine of €573 to €2.170.
  • Suspension of license for 3 to 6 months.
• Between 0,8 and 1,5 g/L:
  • fine of €800 to €3.200.
  • Suspension of license for 6 months to 1 year.
  • Possibility of imprisonment for up to 6 months.
• Above 1,5 g / L:
  • fine of €1.500 to €6.000.
  • Suspension of license for 1 the 2 years.
  • Arrest of 6 months to 1 year.
• Drivers under the influence of drugs:
  • Immediate suspension of license.
  • Confirmation of the violation may lead to revocation for 3 years.

alcolock

• Repeat offenders should use the alcohollock, a device that prevents the car from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol.
• Recidivism in alcohol consumption above 1,5 g / L leads to vehicle confiscation and revocation of the license.

3. Punishments for serious accidents

Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs who cause accidents face:

• Culpable homicide: penalty of 2 to 7 years in prison.
• Aggravated homicide due to traffic violation: de 8 the 12 years.
• Serious injuries: de 3 months to 1 year; aggravated by violation of standards, up to 5 years.
• Very serious injuries: de 1 the 3 years; aggravated, until 7 years.

4. Speeding

• Exceed the limit by up to 10 km/h: fine of €173 to €694.
• Between 40 and 60 km/h over the limit: fine of €543 to €2.170 and suspension of the license for 1 to 3 months.
• Above 60 km/h above the permitted limit: fine of €845 to €3.382 and suspension of the license for 6 to 12 months.

5. Electric bicycles and scooters

• Scooters: mandatory plate, Safety and use of helmet.
• Ban on driving on highways and outside urban centers.
• Bicycles must use lights at night.
• Motor vehicles must maintain a distance of 1,5 meters when overtaking bicycles.

6. Protection of people with disabilities

• Fine of up to € 990 for those who park in exclusive spaces without authorization.
• Fines will also be applied to anyone who blocks ramps or mobility access, such as lowered sidewalks.

7. Neopatented (new drivers)

• Prohibition of alcohol consumption in the first 3 years of qualification.
• Restrictions on more powerful vehicles by 3 years, with limits of:
  • 75 kW per ton for conventional cars.
  • 105 kW per tonne for hybrid or electric vehicles.
• Anyone who drives drunk without a license can only apply for a license from 24 years.

8. New rules for inspection and fines

• Autovelox: equipment must be periodically reviewed.
• Violations committed in the same section and within 1 hour result in a single fine, applied to the most serious infraction with an additional fine of 33%.
• Violation of Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL): only one fine per day.

Criticism of the new legislation

Mobility groups and relatives of accident victims criticize the law, claiming that it focuses more on punishment than prevention. Associations are calling for more investment in educational campaigns and infrastructure to reduce accidents in a sustainable way.

Despite the controversies, the Italian government defends the new legislation as necessary to combat the high number of accidents and promote safer traffic for everyone.