New changes are being announced for drivers as road laws tighten. A draft law in this regard was published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has made public a draft law that makes substantial changes to road legislation, with a significant impact on both drivers and the relevant authorities.
The proposals cover a wide range of issues, from traffic police access to crucial information, to regulations on driver behavior and penalty enforcement procedures.
What are the main proposed changes?
Access to crucial information: The Traffic Police would have access to the National Registry of driving licenses and registered vehicles, to check the validity of the RCA and the ITP.
Automatic deletion: The proposal also includes provisions for the automatic deletion of vehicles in certain situations to ensure a more rigorous fleet management framework.
Psychological assessment for drivers: It is proposed to regulate the psychological assessment for drivers, in order to prevent and more effectively identify potential risks in traffic.
Extended penalties: Expanding the situations in which the traffic policeman is obliged to test the driver, as well as the establishment of sanctions for failure to fulfill the psychologist’s obligations.
Traffic monitoring: Implementation of a mechanism similar to the e-Sigur system for traffic monitoring, including through the use of video cameras and fixed radars.
Combating aggressive behavior: The introduction of the possibility of finding the contravention of adopting an aggressive behavior, with the help of notifications submitted by traffic participants following video or audio-video recordings.
Withdrawal of the license in case of consumption of psychoactive substances: It is proposed to suspend the driver’s license in case of consumption of alcohol or psychoactive substances after an accident.
These changes, included in the proposal to amend GEO 195/2002 regarding traffic on public roads, are aimed at improving road safety and more effective enforcement of traffic rules. Over the next period, the proposal will be subject to public debate and consultation to ensure it is tailored to the needs and concerns of the road community.
Changes to toxicology testing for drivers
On the other hand, according to the Order of the Ministry of Health no. 1.252/2024, drivers involved in accidents will have changes regarding toxicological testing.
Thus, biological samples can be taken from drivers involved in road accidents in various places. Among them will be hospitals with emergency departments, legal medicine institutions and mobile emergency service ambulances (SMURD), especially in special vehicles equipped with medical personnel.
These samples are used to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs in the system of the drivers concerned.
Determining the concentration of alcohol or identifying the presence of psychoactive substances in the body are carried out in specialized medico-legal institutions.
In addition, in every case where biological samples are taken, a medical examination will be carried out from now on to assess the effects of alcohol or psychoactive substance consumption on the person concerned.
Previously, this medical examination was performed only at the request of the traffic police. It was carried out in the situation where the person involved in a road accident had caused the death or injury of one or more people.
