Today, we will address another very pressing topic:
PENALTIES FOR USING A MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING IN ITALY.
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What does the Italian Highway Code provide in this case?
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⚠️Attention: Receiving a fine for using a phone while driving and receiving a fine for using a mobile phone at a traffic light are not the same thing.
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🎙Using a mobile phone while driving (and I’m not just talking about cars 🚗, but also motorcycles 🏍 and bicycles 🚲, and yes, you heard that right 😳) is a cause for a fine.
But few people know that these fines can lead to additional consequences and penalties.
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Administrative sanction:
Paragraph 173 of the Highway Code states that this violation occurs when you use radio telephones (mobiles) or earphones while driving if they are not equipped with a hands-free system.
✳️Clarification:
You can use hands-free only if:
📍«adequate sound perception by both ears»;
📍«they do not require the use of hands to operate».
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❌«Anyone who violates this requirement shall be subject to an administrative penalty in the form of a fine ranging from €80 to €323».
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👌Payment within 5 days – a 30% discount on the amount.
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👍And you may say: «Phew… is that all!?».
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‼️Unfortunately, no.
A repeat offense within two years will result in the suspension of your driver’s license for 1 to 3 months.
Not to mention that the top management of the traffic police has appealed to the government to introduce stricter measures against offenders, suspending the driver’s license – even after the first offense.
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✳️Following the fine, 5 points will be deducted from your points-based license for the violation.
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⚠️Attention: If you were not stopped while driving and talking on your phone by a police officer to issue you a fine, but received it by mail, you are REQUIRED to provide the police with the driver’s identity documents and driver’s license details within 60 days, otherwise, you will receive another fine for “failure to provide information” ranging from €284 to €1133.
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🤗Good luck on the road to everyone!
Yours, Villina HelpWestHouse