FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Assembly approved a new package of measures that toughens penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, using a mobile phone, and violations by drivers without a license.
The Albanian Parliament has approved with 84 votes the amendments to the Road Code, a broad package of measures aimed at increasing road safety and toughening penalties for violators.
The changes, proposed by Socialist MPs Erion Braçe and Ulsi Manja, bring new rules for young drivers, stronger measures against drivers caught drunk, and harsher penalties for using a phone while driving.
One of the main innovations of the law is the permanent revocation of the license for drivers who are repeatedly caught driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the approved amendments, if a driver is found to have over 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood and has been previously punished for the same violation, in case of repetition, his driving license will be permanently revoked.
The law also establishes a special probationary regime for new drivers during the first two years after obtaining a license. This category includes zero tolerance for alcohol, a speed limit of 90 km/h on highways and 80 km/h outside built-up areas, and a ban on driving from midnight to 6 am without a driver who has held a license for at least three years.
Violation of these rules will be punished with a fine of 5,000 to 15,000 lek, suspension of the license for one month, and removal of points. If the new driver commits two violations, the probation period will be extended by another year.
Another important change relates to the use of mobile phones. The ban will no longer apply only to drivers, but also to those using bicycles, motorcycles up to 50 cc, and motorized skateboards.
The new package also tightens measures against people who drive without a license. In addition to criminal consequences, people caught driving without a license will not be able to register in a driving school for one year. For minors, the ban will last up to two years from the moment they gain the legal right to apply for a license.
The Parliament also approved an increase in fines for dangerous and aggressive maneuvers on the road. Penalties for frequent lane changes without signaling, aggressive behavior, and actions that create a risk to road users will increase from 10-40 thousand lek to 20-60 thousand lek.
According to the proponents, the changes aim to reduce the number of accidents, increase road safety and align Albanian legislation with European standards in this field.
Proposed changes:
Article 6
In Article 127, point 3.1, the following change is made:
After the phrase “violated.”, the sentence “The same rule applies to driving licenses issued by the Albanian state in the case where the violator gives consent.” is removed.
Article 7
The following changes are made to Article 139:
In point 5, after the phrase "speed", the words "causing serious danger to road users, especially in urban areas, including aggressive maneuvers, frequent lane changes without signaling and anti-social behavior on the road" are added.
In point 7, the following change is made:
After the phrase "attractive", the words "of burden and of saddle" are removed.
In point 8, the following change is made:
The fine amount "from ten thousand to forty thousand lek" becomes "from twenty thousand to sixty thousand lek".
Before Article 5 of the draft law, Articles 9 and 10 are added with the following content, while Article 5 is renumbered Article 11:
Article 9
The title of Article 171 is changed from “Use of optical glasses and other devices while driving” to “Use of telephones and digital communication devices, optical glasses and other devices while driving”.
In Article 171, after point 2, points 2.1 and 2.2 are added with the following content:
“2.1 The use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving other vehicles, including bicycles, motorcycles up to 50 km, and motorized skateboards, is also prohibited.
2.2 The holder of a driving license, who, during the issuance or renewal of the driving license, has been required to correct organic defects or low anatomical or functional abilities through optical glasses or other specified devices, is obliged to use them while driving the vehicle.
In point 4, after the phrase “article”, the words “three times within the same year” are replaced with the words “twice within the same year”.
Article 10
In Article 184, after point 11, point 11.1 is added with the following content:
“11.1 When the verifications provided for in the points of this article result in an alcohol value higher than 0.5 grams per liter (g/l) in the driver's blood and this driver has been previously found and punished for driving under the influence of alcohol or while intoxicated, in case of repetition, the measure of permanent revocation of the driving license shall be taken.”
Lini një Përgjigje