New Penalties for Drunk Driving: Impact on Consumption and Alternative Solutions

The media hype due to the recent changes, in force from 14 December 2024, to the Highway Code regarding alcoholic substances has had strong repercussions, with even drastic drops, on the related consumption.

Nuove Sanzioni per Guida in Stato di Ebbrezza: Impatti sui Consumi e Soluzioni Alternative

In essence, the driving limits and the related detection methods remain unchanged. What has changed are the sanctions.

Thus, if the blood alcohol level, permitted at 0.50 grams per litre ( g/L ) in the blood , varies from 0.51 to 0.80 g/L, a fine of between 573 and 2170 Euro (€) is foreseen, with suspension of the driving licence for a period varying from 3 to 6 months.

From 0.81 to 1.50 g/L, the fine ranges from 800 to 3200 euros, with the possibility of arrest for up to 6 months, and suspension of the license from 6 months to 1 year.

Above 1.51 g/L the fine varies between €1500 and €6000, with suspension of the license from 1 to 2 years and arrest from 6 months to 1 year. For new drivers, the blood alcohol level threshold remains at 0.0 for 3 years.

In the event of a repeat offence, your licence will be marked with the wording "limit of use" and you will only be able to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.0, as for new drivers. The ban is 2 years if you are stopped with a blood alcohol level between 0.81 and 1.50 g/L, while it increases to 3 years if it is higher than 1.5 g/L.

Repeat offenders, in order to be able to drive, will be required to install, at their own expense, an alcohol interlock on their car.

It is a device with a built-in breathalyzer that prevents the car from starting if the driver fails to pass the test.

Within the confines of this regulatory framework, catering activities are trying to adopt new measures, from consumption by the glass, to the shuttle service, to the wine bag, to avoid waste and not totally deprive themselves of the possibility of ordering their favorite wine even if they drink a small quantity.

As with the doggy bag, once the indicated amount has been paid for the entire drink, whatever is left belongs to the customer who, if he has not finished it, has every right to finish the bottle at a later time, within the four walls of his home or to take it with him elsewhere.

The fact, undoubtedly positive, is to support and encourage similar initiatives aimed at ensuring safety and responsible consumption.

Author: Alessandro Klun

(@acenacondiritto)