
With the final approval in the Senate, the new Highway Code introduces changes that promise to impact the habits of many. In particular, harsher sanctions are coming for those who use the smartphone driving and strict rules for the scooters electrical, including license plate and helmet requirements. Here's what you need to know and how these changes could impact your daily life.
Smartphones while driving: why fines are higher
If you are among those who consider the cell phone an extension of your hand, know that the Highway Code has decided to "get serious". The new rules provide more severe fines for those who use their smartphone while driving, with amounts ranging from € 250 to € 1.000, but it doesn't end here.
In the event of a repeat offence, the sanctions become even harsher: the minimum rises to 350 € and the maximum comes to 1.400 €. And don’t think that the penalties are limited to your wallet: your license can be suspended from one to two weeks, depending on the points you have accumulated. If you have less than 10 points, the suspension will last two weeks; otherwise “only” seven days.
Cell phones are one of the main causes of distraction while driving, often the cause of even serious accidents. With this change, the aim is to reduce risks by focusing not only on higher fines but also on perception of tighter control. The implicit warning? “If you must check social media, do it before you start the engine.”
Electric Scooters: Helmet, License Plate and New Restrictions
Electric scooters have been synonymous with freedom of movement in cities for years, but the new Highway Code aims to regulate their use with a unprecedented crackdown.
The most discussed innovation is the introduction of the obligation to license plate and insurance. For now, details on how to obtain the license plate will come with an implementing decree, but it is clear that the law aims to equate scooters to other motor vehicles, also requiring liability insurance coverage.
It doesn't matter if you are 14 or 40: Helmets will be mandatory for all electric scooter drivers. This measure, already in force for minors, is extended to anyone who uses this means, aiming to guarantee greater safety in the event of falls or accidents.
scooters will be able to drive only on urban roads with a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h. The possibility of using cycle paths disappears, at least until there are regulatory clarifications, while the absolute ban on moving in pedestrian areas and in the wrong direction remains.