Final approval of the Highway Code: here are all the sanctions and new features

Driving licences for those who drive with a mobile phone in their hand or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as for those who abandon animals in the street. And again, a crackdown on monopassengers with the obligation of plate, helmet and insurance. The engine capacity of cars that can be driven by novice drivers will also rise, but the limit will last for three years. The final green light has come for the ddl reforming the Road Code. Approved by the House, it was voted in the Senate chamber without changes with 83 yes, 47 no and one abstention. Here are the new rules.

The sanction for driving with a smartphone will range from a minimum of EUR 250 to a maximum of EUR 1,000. An automatic suspension of one week is also included if you are caught with your phone behind the wheel and have at least 10 points on your licence. In the event of a repeat offence, the fine rises to EUR 1,400, the licence suspension can be up to three months, and a deduction of 8 to 10 points is added. The suspension time is doubled if the use of the mobile phone causes an accident or drives another vehicle off the road.

Zero tolerance is triggered: if the blood alcohol level is between 0.51 and 0.8 grams per litre, you receive a fine of between 573 and 2,170 euros, with a licence suspension of three to six months. If the blood alcohol level is between 0.81 and 1.5 grams per litre, a double penalty of imprisonment and a fine (imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of between 800 and 3,200 euros) is imposed. Suspension of driving licence from 6 months to one year. If the blood alcohol level is higher than 1.5 grams per litre, the offence is punishable by imprisonment and a fine (imprisonment of 6 months to one year and a fine of 1,500 to 6,000 euros) and licence suspension from one to two years. What can you drink in practice? It depends on your weight, height and whether you are on a full stomach: you are generally safe with a glass of wine or a can of beer or a small glass of spirits. For newly licensed drivers, the rules already in force stipulate a zero alcohol level for three years. All cases of drink driving lead to the deduction of 10 points from the driving licence. Penalties also include the obligation to install an alcolock in the car, a device that prevents the engine from starting if a blood alcohol level above zero is detected.

Zero tolerance also for driving after taking drugs. It will be enough to test positive for a driver's licence to be revoked and suspended for three years.

Penalties of 173 to 694 euros for anyone exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 10 km/h and by no more than 40 km/h. If the breach is committed within a built-up area and at least twice within a year, the penalty is increased to between 220 and 880 euros with suspension of the driving licence from fifteen to thirty days.