Bratislava, July 4 - The new traffic regulations should take effect in Slovakia as of October 1, 2008. The Parliament approved new Road Act that introduces many changes into Slovakia's road laws. According to Interior Ministry, the new measures should increase safety on the roads, contribute to the discipline of drivers and decrease the number of traffic accidents.

The biggest changes that drivers need to take care relate to speed limits. The maximum speed limit in cities and villages will be decreased from current 60 km/h to 50 km/h. At he same time, the minimum speed allowed on motorways will be heightened to 80 km/h (currently it is 60 km/h). Maximum speed limit on motorways in cities and villages increases from current 80 km/h to 90 km/h. Against expectation, the maximum speed allowed on motorways outside of cities and villages remains at current 130 km/h. The new act allows only possible exceptions to be made on designated parts of motorways, where maximum speed limit can be especially increased.

The Act introduces a year-round obligation of driving with lights on (currently it is required in wintertime only). The use of winter tires become mandatory on snow and ice, while drivers will be responsible for the right decision.

The new Act allows drivers to park their cars on sidewalks only if the clearance for pedestrians is at least 1.5 metres.

Fines for serious violations of traffic regulations are set to increase as of October 1, with the maximum fine increasing from current Sk2,000 (€66) to Sk20,000 (€660). However, it will be possible to do community service rather than pay fines of more than Sk2,000. As well, it will be possible to ban drivers for serious violations from driving for five years, instead of the current two years.

The new Act touches also pedestrians. They will not be allowed to use mobile phones or music equipments while crossing streets. For violating the prohibition, they could face a fine of up to Sk4,000 (€132.45).

Pedestrians walking outside towns or villages at night will have to wear something reflective.

As well, the Act introduces the obligation for all cyclists to wear helmets outside towns and villages, and cyclists under 15 will also have to wear helmets within towns and villages.

MPs rejected the proposal to abolish the transgression immunity of MPs so that police could sanction them for traffic violations just like ordinary citizens. Slovak MPs retained the right to break the law, to make accidents, to drive being drunken without any possibility to be punished.

(Slovakia Today; illustration photo TASR)