The brand new round, issued by Italy’s Ministries of the Inside and Well being on Could 7, 2025, modifies the enforcement of drug-driving legal guidelines underneath the Italian Freeway Code (Codice della Strada). It addresses considerations about guidelines launched in November 2024 by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, which imposed sanctions primarily based solely on constructive drug assessments, even with out proof of impairment or latest use. Posts on X and media stories point out the next key modifications:
- Proof of Energetic Impairment Required: The round clarifies that for a driver to be penalized for driving underneath the affect of medicine, authorities should exhibit that the substance remains to be producing lively results within the physique throughout driving. This overturns the prior rule, which allowed sanctions primarily based on blood assessments detecting drug traces (e.g., hashish) from use days or perhaps weeks earlier, no matter impairment.
- Response to Constitutional Considerations: The change follows a decide’s April 2025 ruling elevating constitutional points with the November 2024 regulation. The decide argued that punishing drivers for previous drug use (e.g., hashish consumed 30 days prior) with out proving impairment successfully criminalized private drug use somewhat than harmful driving conduct.
- Sensible Implications: Police should now set up {that a} driver is actively impaired by medication on the time of driving, probably via noticed conduct, discipline sobriety assessments, or medical assessments, along with drug assessments. This aligns enforcement nearer to alcohol-related driving legal guidelines, specializing in precise highway security dangers.
The round goals to steadiness highway security with equity, making certain penalties goal drivers who’re genuinely impaired somewhat than these with residual, non-active drug traces. Nonetheless, particular particulars on implementation, equivalent to standardized testing protocols, stay unclear primarily based on obtainable data. For exact authorized steering, drivers ought to seek the advice of official Italian authorities sources or authorized professionals.
