Today, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Road Traffic Law in the final reading, which increase the penalties for serious violations of the permitted driving speed, informs the Saeima Press Service.
The initial wording of the amendment in the law was directed by “Jaunas vietitabas” deputies.
The law stipulates that for exceeding the speed from 61 to 70 kilometers per hour (km/h) with mopeds, motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks, the full weight of which does not exceed 7.5 tons, the driver can be fined from 720 to 960 euros ( currently – from 360 to 480 euros) and a ban on the use of driving rights for nine months (currently – six).
On the other hand, if the mentioned amount of speed will be exceeded in a populated place, it is planned to apply a fine from 1040 to 1400 euros (currently – from 540 to 680 euros) and take away the right to drive vehicles from nine to 12 months (currently, the ban on using the right is applied for 12 months).
In cases where the permitted driving speed will be exceeded by more than 70 km/h, it is planned to apply a fine of 1,400 to 2,000 euros and to revoke the right to drive for 12 to 36 months. This will apply to all vehicles, regardless of their gross weight.
For driving a vehicle, if a suspension of the use of the right to drive vehicles was previously applied in accordance with the relevant norm of the Law on Administrative Responsibility, a fine from 280 euros to 700 euros will be applied to the driver of the vehicle.
For causing disturbances to the driver of the overtaking vehicle by increasing the driving speed or changing the driving trajectory, the applicable fine for the driver of the vehicle will be increased from 40 to 55 euros.
Similarly, for overtaking at regulated intersections or for overtaking at non-regulated intersections, except for the cases when overtaking on the main road in relation to the road to be crossed, the applicable fine for the driver of the vehicle will increase from 40 to 55 euros.
The law also stipulates that for parking in places where it is impossible to approach without violating the requirements of road traffic regulations, the driver of the vehicle will be fined 30 euros.
Penalties have also been increased for using a vehicle in road traffic for which the owner’s civil liability insurance has not been carried out.
It is determined that the vehicle will be able to be forcibly moved by placing it in a special parking space, even if the parking rules have been violated on the expressway. The vehicle can also be moved forcibly on the expressway if the rules for stopping or parking have been violated, but the driver is not present and the vehicle is parked.
The law also states that from now on, only registered electric scooters and cycle rickshaws will be able to participate in road traffic.
It is also determined that not only drivers of motor vehicles, but also drivers of bicycles and electric scooters will have to carry driver’s documents.
The law also clarifies the definition of an electric scooter, stating that an electric scooter is a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with an electric motor or electric motors, the total maximum power of which does not exceed one kilowatt, the maximum speed of which is designed to not exceed 25 km/h, which does not have pedals and is intended for one person and is equipped with a steering wheel or an armrest that is mechanically connected to the leg support surface. The electric scooter can be equipped with a seat whose height does not exceed 540 millimeters.
