[ad_1]
The modifications to the Highway Code approved this Friday in the Council of Ministers, which aim to transpose the European driving regulations into the Portuguese legal framework, will have repercussions in different areas, both in terms of road safety and inspection, as well. as for certain vehicles or road agents.
Divided into four general areas of action, these changes aim, according to the Government, to “promote road safety and reduce road accidents”, one of the objectives set out in its governance plan.
Thus, in terms of road safety, the new regulations indicate that:
· Doubling the amount of the fine associated with the use of a mobile phone while driving (from the current € 120 to € 600, the offense now includes fines of € 240 to € 1200);
· The prohibition of overnight stays and the parking of motorhomes outside the places designated for this purpose is hereby established;
· It is mandatory to have protection arches on slow vehicles (tractors, agricultural / forestry and industrial machinery);
· Electric scooters with a maximum speed of 25 km / h are now equated to bicycles, subject to fines of € 60 to € 300 if this limit is exceeded;
· The drivers of TVDE vehicles are now treated like taxis when they drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
· Police training vehicles or other rescue teams are now covered by the rules for the use of sound and light warnings.
In another aspect, there are new rules to promote procedural dematerialization. Specifically:
· It is possible to use and present digital driving licenses;
· In case of voluntary adherence to the unique digital address, it is now possible to be notified electronically in counter-ordinance processes;
· The certificate of psychological evaluation is dematerialized;
· Electronic communication is possible between the forces and services of the National Highway Authority.
On the other hand, an effort is still being made to simplify the procedures, translated by:
· Concentration of all categories of vehicles in the license, in order to eliminate the licenses of tractors and agricultural / forestry machines;
· An exemption from the lifting of records of administrative offenses of persons on an urgent relief mission;
· Possibility of recovering expired titles by taking exams or attending training courses.
Finally, a strengthening of the inspection is foreseen through:
· Change the form of access of the GNR and the PSP to the Registry of Individual Drivers;
· Attribution of supervisory competence to GNR, PSP, Maritime Police and municipalities, to act outside public roads and protected areas in case of violation of a motorhome of the previous explicit prohibition to spend the night outside the designated areas.
[ad_2]
