Italy's New Driving Laws: Go Faster, Just Don't Drink
The Italian government recently passed a series of strict new driving laws that will affect locals and tourists on the roads in the Bel Paese.
A few of the new rules to keep in mind:
DUIs. No more jail time for drivers with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08 to 0.05 (already stricter than many places, including the US) but fines are a lot heftier, ranging from 500 to 2,000 euros. (In lieu of jail time, there are plans to institute community service and driver's ed courses.) Those fines double if you cause an accident and your car can also be impounded for up to 180 days. If you cause an accident with a BAC of 1.5, your license will be suspended for two years. If your driver's license is suspended for drunk driving, forget about driving anything for awhile. You can no longer drive a scooter or mini car (like an Ape), either. Drivers under age 21 or anyone who hasn't had a license for more than three years cannot drink alcohol and drive — period. Fines for these drivers with a BAC of "zero to 0.5" start at 155 to 624 euros, double if they cause an accident and increase along with BAC levels exponentially.
Drugs. Jail time has been doubled for drivers found under the influence of drugs, from three to six months. Convicted drug users will have their licenses revoked — instead of suspended as previously — if they are found at fault in an accident. Police officers will also have drug-test kits with them instead of taking suspected drug users in for hospital tests.
Speed limits. The speed limit remains 130 km/h speed limit (80 mph) on most Italian autostrade, but shoots up to 150 km/h on autostrade with "tutor" speed limit cameras installed.
Scooters. Now required to wear goggles or eye protection "where necessary." Scooter licenses will also require a practice driving test.
Bicycles. Cyclists are now required to wear reflective vests at night.
As far as I know, the complete law hasn't been published in English yet. The Transport Ministry has a complete list of all the articles in the law, you could do worse than use Google Translate on it meanwhile.
Photo used with a Creative Commons license, thanks to cruelgargle on flickr.
This entry was posted in daily life, travel by . Bookmark the permalink.
8 thoughts on "Italy's New Driving Laws: Go Faster, Just Don't Drink"
Pingback: Driving in Italy | Italy Travel Guide
Pingback: Italia Mia Lodge » Blog Archive » Slow Travel in the Fast Lane
Richard on August 17, 2010 at 02:44 said:
Now will it be successfully enforced?
Pingback: Reguli de sofat in Italia – Tuk Tuk
Joanne on July 23, 2013 at 09:27 said:
Can somebody please tell me if it is legal to make a right turn on a red light in Italy after coming to a complete stop? I am from California where it is allowed.
Nicole on July 24, 2013 at 16:01 said:
Hey Joanne – no, it's not legal to turn right on red in Italy…I think it has more to do w/the narrow streets than whether you come to a complete stop.
C.Cavallaro on August 2, 2013 at 01:00 said:
Traveled this week to Catania and left a bag at the hotel. Best way to ship back to US?
jencla2@googlemail.com
Carla on July 27, 2016 at 03:51 said:
I am travelling to Italy and I will need to rent a car. I am taking my 2 year old kids with me. Is it necessary to take them in the children chairs in Italy?