New traffic rules,

The new driving laws that went into effect on August 13 include stiffer fines for speeding and greater penalties for alcohol use. Among the 80 amendments is a ban on alcohol sales at stores on the toll highway from 10pm to 6am. The blood-alcohol limit for drivers younger than 21 and those with less than three years of experience driving is now zero, with fines ranging from 155 to 624 euro (these are doubled if the offender is involved in an accident). All drivers found with blood-alcohol levels of 0.15 or higher face longer minimum jail sentences, higher fines, loss of their licenses and the possible confiscation of their vehicles. Fines for drivers caught traveling at least 40 kilometers per hour over the speed limit have been raised from 370 to 500 euro; those caught driving 60 kilometers per hour and more over the limit now face fines that range from 779 to 3,100 euro. For more information, see www.senato.it or www.governo.it  (in Italian).