Christian Campigli
March 28, 2024
A small, big revolution. The concrete demonstration that security, for the centre-right, is not just a series of electoral slogans. But a horizon to follow to improve the lives of citizens. The Chamber gives the green light to the new Highway Code with 163 votes in favor and 107 against. The bill now goes to the Senate for second reading. A first, great success for the conservatives, which was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini. «It’s a beautiful day, because Parliament has finally approved the new highway code which provides for more checks, more traffic education, more rigor. There is great satisfaction, we are determined to save lives. The bill on road safety – the minister highlighted – provides for more rigor for those who make mistakes, therefore withdrawal of the license for those who drive drunk, on drugs, for those who abandon animals, for those who use mobile phones. Along with this from north to south, we are investing billions in new roads, like the new Potenza-Melfi route: I’m happy. They are beautiful days because we absolutely must reduce that number exceeding three thousand deaths on Italian roads which is a city that disappears every year. As Minister of Transport – concluded Salvini – I want to reach the end of my mandate with more modern, wider, safer roads and fewer deaths on the road”.
As per practice, the opposition lashed out against the new rules. «It is an arrogant and very botched law, carried out to the sound of ideology and arrogance, without taking into account the requests of administrators and environmentalist associations – declared Annalisa Corrado, member of the national secretariat of the Democratic Party – A horrible page of a policy designed on slogans and fanfare, incapable of truly transforming people’s lives for the better.” Here, in concrete terms, are the main changes. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS If the alcohol level is between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per litre, the fine will range from 573 to 2,170 euros and the driving license will be suspended from 3 to 6 months. Between 0.8 and 1.5 grams per litre, double penalty, imprisonment and fine (arrest of up to 6 months and fine of 800 to 3,200 euros), and driving license suspended from 6 months to one year. If the blood alcohol level is higher than 1.5 grams per litre, custodial and pecuniary sanctions (arrest from 6 months to one year and fine from 1,500 to 6,000 euros), and suspension of the driving license from one to two years. Revocation of the license if the same offense is committed within two years following the investigation. All cases of driving while intoxicated – as well as refusal to submit to a test – are grounds for a 10 point deduction from the driving licence. In the case of drugs, the license will be revoked and can be suspended for up to three times. MICROMOBILITY License plate, helmet and insurance required for scooters.
