2024-01-16 13:02:37
New regulations on the roads from 2024 (PHOTO)
Munich (ots) – Legal resolutions, requirements, prices: Many people quickly lose track when looking at the road traffic regulations in the new year. Unfortunately, ignorance does not protect against punishment. If car fans don’t know about the new regulations and therefore inadvertently ignore them, they still face expensive penalties. The rental car provider Sunny Cars knows the most important innovations in Europe and gives helpful tips on what travelers should pay particular attention to from this year.
For the sake of the environment: CO2 tax leads to higher fuel prices
Shock at the pump: Due to increased prices for fossil fuels, drivers will pay significantly more when filling up in Germany and Austria in the future. The reason for this is the CO2 tax, which increases the price to 45 euros per ton. For those who fill up the tank, this means an average surcharge of 4 cents per liter. Important for commuters: You will continue to receive a flat-rate travel allowance regulated by German and Austrian legislation.
Say Cheese: New cell phone speed cameras
If the police in Germany catch you using your cell phone behind the wheel, you will pay a fine of almost 128 euros and get one point in Flensburg. In order to control the ban more efficiently, the installation of cell phone speed cameras is now being planned in some federal states. The cameras detect whether the driver is holding a cell phone in their hand and triggers depending on this. The necessary legal basis and changes to the law are currently being developed. Rhineland-Palatinate successfully completed a pilot project with a monocam system mentioned in 2022, and the first devices are to be integrated into regular operations there this year. The Netherlands is setting a good example, where new devices are already taking photos of smartphone users.
The pink “rag”: driver’s license exchange
Drivers born between 1965 and 1970 generally still have a pink or gray driver’s license in this country. Those affected must exchange such documents into the forgery-proof credit card format by January 19, 2024; the exchange costs around 25 euros. If officers catch you with the old “rag”, you risk a fine of up to ten euros. A new EU driving license directive also provides for an extension of the B196 driving license. This includes a weight limit for novice drivers and new rules for learner drivers.
The right footwear for the car: tire regulations
A close look at the wheels: If you have all-season tires, check the symbols embossed on the side. From October 2024, the StVO in Germany will only allow all-weather tires with the mountain and snowflake symbols. This signals that the all-season tires have the properties of winter tires. If the symbol is missing or there is only an “M+S” symbol on the tires, you risk a fine and a point in Flensburg if checked. The Austrian Automobile Club completely advises against all-weather tires as they do not fully comply with all requirements. In Switzerland, the rule is to keep the vehicle in a “safe and proper condition for operation”; the type of tires is not further regulated here.
Further steps towards “autonomous driving”: assistance systems
From July 7, 2024, new EU-wide guidelines for the use of intelligent assistance systems in new cars will apply. Previously mandatory helpers were, for example, ABS, ESP or tire pressure systems. The new mandatory components in the vehicle include an intelligent speed assistant, data recording in a black box and an emergency brake assistant. Other modern assistance systems such as drowsiness warning signals and alcohol-sensitive immobilizers also increase safety and improve accident analysis. Driver assistance systems work primarily at the levels of guidance, braking assistance, passenger information, visibility and automation.
Then the cash register rings: car insurance
Around 13 million drivers affected: From 2024, new type class classifications will apply in Germany for common car insurance policies, especially liability insurance. The majority of those insured receive a higher classification, and around 5.4 million drivers benefit from better type classes. Policyholders are also observing new classifications regionally. These depend on the number of accidents and damages per area of origin of the travelers. The north of Germany is comparatively cheap, while travelers in the southeast pay the most for car insurance. Providers apply the new classifications immediately to new contracts. With existing contracts, travelers remain in the old level until the main due date.
Daily vignette & anti-speeding measures
From 2024, travelers in Austria will receive a one-day vignette for the motorways there. Travelers only get this digitally, costing 8.60 euros. Good to know: The price of the well-known 10-day vignette increases to 11.50 euros. From March 1, 2024, the final part of an Austrian package of measures against speeding will come into force. The amendment to the Road Traffic Act grants local authorities a special right to do this. This allows vehicles to be confiscated and declared forfeited if the driver was driving too fast. Speeders will therefore not be able to get their vehicle back.
Stricter enforcement of fines
No escape: Anyone who sets off a speed camera in Switzerland will not be able to avoid paying in Germany from 2024 onwards. The basis for this is the German-Swiss police agreement. However, the enforcement law also applies vice versa. The Swiss also pay for the souvenir photo from Germany at home. However, only if the fine including procedural costs exceeds the trivial limit of 70 euros or 80 Swiss francs.
Significantly higher penalties
Traffic offenders in Italy have to dig deep into their pockets: the country is planning significant increases for some traffic offenses in 2024. The reason for the tightening is the significantly increased number of accidents on Italian roads. There are tougher sanctions, especially for crimes that distract taxpayers – from cell phone use to alcohol consumption. In addition, illegal parking and speeding drivers dig deeper into their pockets during checks. The new regulations are expected to come into force in January 2024.
Driving ability checks for more safety
Reformation for novice drivers: The EU is planning new rules for driving licenses in 2024. In the future, drivers – not just seniors – may regularly have their driving ability checked. An EU-wide regulation helps individual member states to implement and monitor such checks uniformly. It remains to be seen whether and to what extent this new regulation will also be enforced in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – as well as what such a test will look like. In addition, those responsible are also planning a reform for the accompanied driving of driving greenhorns in other European countries.
Questions & Contact:
For further press information:
Thorsten Lehmann
Managing Partner
Sunny Cars GmbH
Tel. +49 (0)89 82 99 33 80
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/sunnycars
Katrin Engelniederhammer
Wilde & Partner Communications
Tel. +49 (0)89 17 91 90 43
[email protected]
www.wilde.de
www.facebook.com/WildeundPartner
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