Last November 4, 2021 the Senate approved the infrastructure decree which will be published in the Official Gazette and with which the new will come into force Traffic Laws.
There will be many new rules which will affect both motorists but also motorcyclists and pedestrians crossing the road. Let's see them in detail.
Mobile phones and tablets
We all know which to use radiotelephone apparatus while driving is a misconduct that is punished with a fine. With the new highway code, the list of instruments that cannot be used while behind the wheel is extended and includes: smartphones, laptops, notebooks, tablets and all those similar instruments that can cause, even if only temporarily, the detachment of the hands from the steering wheel.
Parking for the disabled
All subjects who park in parking areas reserved for vehicles for the transport of the disabled will be punished with fines doubled and points deduction tripled. In fact, the penalties will range from 168 to 672 euros, unlike what was previously established from 84 to 335 euros, and the points subtracted instead of 2 will be 6.
Furthermore, from 1 January 2022 the parking in the a blue stripes, in the event that those with yellow stripes are occupied, it will be free for people with disabilities. But be careful, it will be necessary to have the appropriate mark.
Pink parking spaces
From next year the pink car parks, ie those reserved for pregnant women and parents with children up to two years, will increase and this too will need to be provided with the mark.
Motorcycles and mopeds
The rules also change for motorbikes and mopeds, in fact, unlike what happened in the previous Highway Code, in which the driver was fined only in the case in which the transported person who did not wear a helmet was a minor, now the sanction will be triggered in any case if you do not wear a helmet, regardless of the passenger's age.
Scooters
For scooters they become mandatory arrows, stops and brakes on both wheels. The helmet is not mandatory for adults and no license plate obligation.
For rental vehicles, insurance becomes mandatory and, as regards speed limits, vehicles cannot exceed 6 km / h when they are in pedestrian areas, in all other cases the limit is 20 km / h . The prohibitions on parking on pavements are still valid, where in fact it will not even be possible to circulate, and it will not be possible to go against the traffic.
Pink sheet
La validity of the pink sheet is extended to one year, compared to the previous 6 months. The driving test for the B license can be repeated up to 3 times. In addition, licensed drivers will be able to drive a vehicle up to 95 hp with a person not older than 65 and with a driving license for at least 10 years.
Fines for those who practice without an instructor ranging from 430 euros to a maximum of 1731 and ancillary sanction of the administrative detention of the vehicle for 3 months.
Patent
A contribution up to 1000 euros for young people under 35, for those who receive Basic income or social safety nets. This contribution must not exceed 50% of the total expenses incurred for obtaining the license. Those who request this contribution will, however, have to demonstrate that they want to work in the road transport sector, in fact, within a maximum of three months from the certificate, they will have to have a work contract as a driver.
Rental car
The new highway code provides that it is the customer of the rental company a pay offenses committed while driving.
Pedestrians
New changes also regarding the pedestrian crossing, in fact the drivers of the vehicles must give the precedence to all those pedestrians who have started the crossing, but not only that, also to those who are about to make the crossing.
Public transport
From 30 June 2022 it is the circulation of vehicles of categories M2 and M3 is prohibited with Euro 1 characteristics and from 1 January 2023 the circulation of the same categories of vehicles with Euro 2 characteristics is prohibited. From 1 January 2024 the prohibition will affect Euro 3 vehicles.
Advertising
All types of advertising prohibited from the content considered sexist, violent or harmful respecting individual freedoms, civil and political rights, religious beliefs or ethnic affiliations or discriminatory with reference to sexual orientation, gender identity or physical and mental abilities.
Level crossings
Level crossings will be installed automatic devices which will detect violations and non-compliance with the prohibition of crossing.
Proceeds from fines
With the approval of the new highway code, local authorities will have the obligation to publish an annual report on the destination of proceeds and make these data public.
