Politics · Other · 16 hrs ago
Italy proposes new rules for motorcycles, safety gear and speeding fines
Italy’s government has given initial approval to a draft of new traffic rules, but parliament and the government still need to review and decide on them.
The draft would let motorcycles and scooters use the hard shoulder in slow or stopped traffic, provided they move slowly and leave room for emergency vehicles.
Where there is no hard shoulder, drivers on some multi-lane urban roads would have to leave a central corridor for motorcycles and scooters.
On motorways, riders and passengers would have to wear suitable protection for their hands and backs as well as helmets.
The plan would also calculate speeding fines according to how far a driver exceeds the limit, with different rates for urban roads and other roads.
The rules are not yet in force, and the draft says they are planned to begin on January 1, 2028, though implementation could be delayed until April 1; current rules remain in place until then.
Italy has proposed traffic rules that would let motorcycles and scooters use the hard shoulder during congestion and create a central “virtual lane” on some urban roads without a hard shoulder.
The draft would require motorcycle riders and passengers on motorways to wear protective gear for their hands and backs, in addition to helmets.
It would also change speeding fines to a rate of €10 per km/h over the limit on motorways and outside towns, and €5 per km/h in towns.
Drivers who fail to leave space for the virtual lane could face fines of €80 to €320.
The rules are not yet in force; the draft names 1 January 2028 as the planned start date, with a possible delay to 1 April 2028 under certain conditions.
- Who
- Italy’s government has proposed the rules, which would affect drivers and motorcycle and scooter riders.
- What
- The draft covers motorcycle access through traffic, protective gear and speeding fines.
- When
- The rules are planned to start on 1 January 2028, but could be delayed to 1 April 2028 under certain conditions.
- Where
- The proposed rules apply in Italy, including on motorways and certain multi-lane urban roads.
- Why
- The proposal aims to improve traffic flow and let motorcycle and scooter riders move through congestion; it also sets new safety gear and speeding-fine rules.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Italy’s Council of Ministers initially approved the draft regulations.
Virgilio published an article about the proposed rules.
Auto Motor und Sport and MOTORRAD published reports on the draft.
The draft names this as the planned start date for the new rules.
The start could be delayed to this date under certain conditions.
- Hard-shoulder use
- Motorcycles and scooters could use it during congestion, provided they travel slowly and leave room for emergency vehicles.
- Virtual lane fine
- €80 to €320 for failing to make space, according to the draft.
- Motorway protective gear fine
- €40 to €160 for violations.
- Speeding fine rate
- €10 per km/h over the limit on motorways and outside towns; €5 per km/h in towns.
- Planned start
- 1 January 2028, with a possible delay to 1 April 2028.