Italy strikes: Draconian penalties for traffic offenders from now on!

Italy strikes: Draconian penalties for traffic offenders from now on!

Italien - Italy has introduced strict punishments for traffic offenses and animal husbandry since 2025. The comprehensive reform of the road traffic regulations, which was passed by the Senate in Rome last year, is considered one of the strictest in Europe. These new regulations aim to reduce the number of around 3,000 traffic fatalities in Italy annually. The Italian state has already generated around 1.8 billion euros annually through fines, and with the new punishments, an increase in income from fines is expected. Even smaller violations, including open car windows, can now lead to high fines. The new regulations also affect Austrian vacationers who are traveling in Italy.

The vote result for the draft of the new law was a clear signal: 83 votes for it, 47 against it and an abstention. All over 350 amendments to the opposition have been rejected, which underlines the government's determination to increase traffic safety.

changes and sanctions

The new regulations contain drastic punishments for various traffic offenses:

• alcohol and drugs at the wheel:
  • 0.5 to 0.8 per thousand: fine between 573 and 2,170 euros, license withdrawal from 3 to 6 months.
  • 0.8 to 1.5 per thousand: punishment doubled, prison sentence for up to 6 months, obligation to install an alcohol lock.
  • over 1.5 per thousand: fine of 1,500 to 6,000 euros, up to 2 years of driving license withdrawal and imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year.
  • drug: immediate license withdrawal of up to 3 years.
• traffic accidents:
  • fatal accident under influence: 2 to 7 years in prison.
  • serious violations: 8 to 12 years in prison.
• speed crossing:
  • 10 - 40 km/h: fine between 173 and 694 euros.
  • over 60 km/h: fine of up to 3,382 euros and license withdrawal from 6 to 12 months.
• cell phone at the wheel:
  • First violation: fine of up to 1,000 euros, driver's license withdrawal for one week.
  • Repetitional offender: fines up to 1,400 euros and up to 3 months of license withdrawal.

The regulations also affect e-scooters, bicycles and motorcycles, with new regulations for the use and security being introduced. For example, e-scooters must have a license plate in the future and have insurance, while new bike paths and liability for bicycles apply at night.

consequences for foreign drivers

The tightened punishments also apply to tourists and foreign drivers. Fine can be enforced within the EU, while driving bans are only used in Italy. Points in the Flensburg register are excluded from these new penalties, which should be important for many vacationers.

This reform aims not only to increase traffic safety, but also to stimulate a rethink among road users. The new regulations were passed in December 2024 as part of law No. 177 and have been in force since December 14, 2024. They are an important step for improving traffic safety in Italy, as krone.at, as well as auto-motor-und-sport.de [AVV-LEISTE.IT] (http://www.avv-iter.it/blog-deutsch-rechtstipp-aktuell/codice-strada 2024).