Italy Highway Code reform sparks pedestrian safety concerns

Proposed updates to the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada) are drawing criticism and highlighting significant regulatory shifts. The Movimento Diritti dei Pedoni has raised alarms regarding new rules that could prohibit pedestrians from crossing at intersections where no marked crosswalks exist. The association argues this creates a paradox where safety measures effectively restrict movement, particularly in large cities like Rome where infrastructure is often lacking. They have called on the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to revise the text to focus on addressing causes of accidents, such as speed and visibility, rather than shifting responsibility to vulnerable road users.

Other major changes in the reform focus on technology and fine structures. The proposal seeks to replace the doubling of fines following a rejected appeal to the Prefect with a smaller increase of one-third of the original amount. Additionally, the reform introduces advanced electronic control devices capable of detecting multiple infractions, such as speeding and running a red light, through a single camera. There are also proposals to shorten notification periods for certain automated violations to 30 days, down from the current 90-day standard for deferred contests.