Albania implements stricter traffic laws and penalties

Albania has implemented significant amendments to its Traffic Code aimed at increasing road safety and reducing accidents through stricter penalties. A major provision includes the permanent revocation of driving licenses for repeat offenders caught driving with a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.5 per mille.

New regulations also target young drivers and those driving without licenses. Minors caught driving will not be permitted to enroll in driving schools until they reach age 20, while new drivers face specific restrictions for their first two years, including a 90 km/h speed limit on highways and a zero-tolerance alcohol policy.

Additional measures include: - Fines for speeding in residential areas and near schools ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 lek. - A three-month license suspension for drivers caught using a mobile phone twice within one year. - Prohibitions on mobile phone use extended to cyclists, motorcyclists (up to 50cc), and electric scooter users. - The elimination of the option to replace license suspensions with double fine payments.

Skender Hita, General Director of the Albanian State Police, stated that the focus is on raising citizen awareness and preventing fatal accidents, noting that