Lake Garda, the scene of serious accidents in recent months, reflects the urgent need for new regulations to enhance road safety. With the new Highway Code, which has been definitively approved by the Senate, stricter rules have been introduced for those driving under the influence of alcohol, using mobile phones while driving, or failing to adhere to traffic regulations.
The new Highway Code, definitively approved by the Senate on November 20, 2024, will come into effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Considering the technical time required for the President of the Republic’s signature and publication, the new regulations are expected to be operational by Christmas 2024.
Here are the most important changes:
License Suspension for Mobile Phone Use While Driving
• First Offense:
• Fines ranging from 250 to 1,000 euros;
• License suspension for one week (15 days if the license points are below 20);
• Deduction of 8 points.
• Repeat Offense within 2 years:
• Fines up to 1,400 euros;
• License suspension up to 3 months;
• Deduction of 10 points.
• If mobile phone use causes an accident, penalties and the duration of the license suspension increase further.
Driving Under the Influence
Penalties vary based on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level detected:
BAC between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l:
• Fines ranging from 543 to 2,170 euros;
• License suspension from 3 to 6 months;
• Deduction of 10 points.
BAC between 0.8 and 1.5 g/l:
• Fines ranging from 800 to 3,200 euros;
• Imprisonment for up to 6 months;
• License suspension from 6 months to 1 year;
• Deduction of 10 points.
BAC over 1.5 g/l:
• Fines ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 euros;
• Imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year;
• License suspension from 1 to 2 years;
• Deduction of 10 points.
Mandatory Alcolock
• Those exceeding a BAC of 0.8 g/l must install an Alcolock device in their vehicle, which prevents the engine from starting if alcohol is detected in the breath.
New Rules for Speed Cameras
Mandatory Warning: notification at least 1 km in advance.
• Minimum distances between speed cameras:
• 3 km on main extra-urban roads;
• 1 km on secondary roads;
• 500 meters in urban areas.
Speeding:
• Between 10 and 40 km/h over the limit:
• Fines ranging from 173 to 694 euros;
• If repeated in urban areas, fines from 220 to 880 euros and license suspension from 15 to 30 days.
• Over 40 km/h over the limit:
• Fines ranging from 543 to 2,170 euros;
• License suspension from 1 to 3 months.
• Over 60 km/h over the limit:
• Fines ranging from 845 to 3,382 euros;
• License suspension from 6 to 12 months.
Electric Scooters
Obligations: license plate, insurance, helmet, and lights (for turns and braking).
Penalties:
• For lack of a license plate or insurance: fines from 100 to 400 euros.
• For lack of lights: fines from 200 to 800 euros.
• Prohibition of circulation outside urban centers.
Illegal Parking
Disabled Parking Spaces:
• Fines ranging from 330 to 990 euros;
• Deduction of 4 points from the license.
Bus Lanes or Stops:
• Fines ranging from 165 to 660 euros.
Rules for New Drivers
In the first Italian Version
