The Italian government moved on Wednesday to reduce the country's alarming road death record, approving a crackdown on dangerous driving which includes fines of up to 24,000 euros.
The cabinet greenlighted a draft road safety bill which was prompted by the so-called 'Saturday Night Massacres' - late-night weekend crashes which often involve youngsters on a night out.
The bill introduces jail terms of up to two years and mega-fines for those caught driving under the influence of drink or drugs, with the harshest penalties reserved for those responsible for accidents.
Reckless motorists risk driving bans of up to two years and the possibility of having their vehicles confiscated.
Some could be forced to perform a form of community service entailing the assistance of disabled road accident victims.
The bill also stiffens fines for motorists caught using their mobile phones, as well as overhauling a points system introduced by the previous, Silvio Berlusconi-led government.
The system gives each motorist 20 points and points are docked every time the motorist is caught breaching road regulations.
The bill reforms the system so that point deductions are tied more to careless driving. Under the current system, drivers can lose points for minor offences such as breaking parking regulations.
Interior Minister Giuliano Amato also warned drivers that police patrols would be stepped up.
"We are aiming at one million checks and patrols this year," the minister said, noting that the current annual average was 200,000 which was far below the European average.
He said police would be out to catch drunk and drugged drivers in particular and told youngsters that spot checks could be carried out at exits to bars and nightclubs before they even got in their vehicles.
"Even a country as undisciplined as Italy can teach its children that those who drink don't drive," Amato said.
NIGHT-TIME DRIVING THE RISKIEST.
Some 5,000 people are killed every year in Italy in road accidents, which are the top cause of death among young people aged between 15 and 29.
A further 20,000 people are severely disabled and 300,000 injured.
More than 44% of all night-time road accidents occur on a Friday or a Saturday night.
According to national statistics bureau Istat, the most dangerous time to be out on the road in Italy is between 10pm and 6am, when drivers are twice as likely to be killed.
While the average number of fatalities per 100 accidents is 2.4%, the figure rises to 4.4% at night and more than 4.7% on Friday and Saturday night - hence the phenomenon dubbed Saturday Night Massacres.
Italy overall has one of the worst road safety records in Europe.
In 2005, the latest year for Istat data availability, the figures broke down to an average 15 deaths a day with 860 injuries.
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 29 accounted for 30% of all road fatalities.
Most European countries see an average of 3,000 road deaths per year.
The economic costs for the Italian State are also considerable, amounting to 30 million euros per year.
