Road Traffic Code: In public consultation the new ratification framework

Public consultation sets out its new ratification framework , “in the light of and protection of human life, but also in accordance with the needs of modern mobility and the gradual digitisation of procedures,” the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport announced. With regard to the philosophy of regulation, it is noted that an integrated policy of penalties should focus on road safety without being punitive. The aim is to comply with drivers, to impose fair penalties corresponding to the seriousness/risk of each infringement, but also to ensure the collection of fines. The penalties mainly concern the driver (money fine, removal of a driving licence, CESO penalty points) rather than the vehicle (removal of a marketing authorisation), as this can be used by more than one driver. CORVERSE Penalties must be proportionate to infringements and shall be classified as dangerous: * those which may cause a serious accident (e.g. the violation of a red signal, speeding or irregular passing, driving under the influence of alcohol). * less dangerous infringements (e.g. illegal parking and administrative infringements, such as driving without the driver bringing with him the legal documents). CORVERSE In addition, there is an escalation of penalties for drivers who often fall victim to infringements. In the same spirit, the method of paying fines is defined to facilitate their repayment process without complex bureaucratic procedures. Particular attention shall be paid to the imposition of penalties and the collection of fines for infringements of professional drivers from other countries, with the on-the-spot completion of the procedure at the inspection and registration point. At the same time, it is expected that the reduction of the maximum permissible speed limit for vehicles within residential areas from 50 km/h to 30 km/h (unless otherwise specified by a special marking) will lead to a significant reduction in road accidents in urban areas, where increased traffic of vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians, bicycles, EPOs, motorcycles) and most accidents are recorded. It is specified that in single routes in which there are at least two (2) lanes of traffic separated by longitudinal markings and two-way routes, within the residential areas, the maximum permissible speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour is maintained, unless otherwise specified by a specific marking. Finally, particular attention is paid to vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians, child transport, etc.), who have increased safety needs to be covered by special arrangements. These arrangements concern both the behaviour of the same and the behaviour of other road users towards them. Thus, a series of KOK violations are described as antisocial and bring about additional administrative measures. In summary, the main points in the draft Law “New Penalty Framework of the Road Traffic Code and Other Provisions on Safe Mobility” are summarised in the following: * The rationalisation of penalties and the categorisation of infringements according to the risk, as well as the imposition of sanctions that meet the current requirements and enhance their deterrent nature. * The categorisation of infringements into three main categories makes the sanction framework more realistic and easier to implement than control bodies and more understandable than citizens. * For more serious infringements that significantly increase the possibility of causing road accidents, preventive sanctions (rights and administrative measures) are imposed in order to reduce drastically. * The introduction of recurrent and anti-social road behaviour and the tightening-up of the financial framework to prevent them is intended to improve safe road behaviour. * The vehicle is released (the vehicle data are not removed) for infringements involving dangerous driving behaviours for which only the offender is now punished (money fine, removal of driving licence, CESO penalty points). * Reducing the maximum speed of movement within the urban fabric and on neighborhood roads to 30 km/h, under the specific conditions provided for as appropriate. * The formation of sustainable urban mobility through the reduction of speed is enhanced by granting vital space to micro-motility vehicles and motorized bicycles to traffic and parking (rules for conditional filtration, waiting space at crossings, parking provision). * Combined with the above, the validation framework for micro-motility vehicles and motorized bicycles is tightened up, as the use of helmets and speed limits are non-negotiable and severely punished. * Reforming the institutional framework for extending the possibility of using technical or electronic means to identify infringements of the Road Traffic Code (cambers on buses). The public consultation period was set at three weeks.