New laws in Czech Republic to clamp down on lorries overtaking in prohibited spots

The Czech Republic is set to implement new laws to clamp down on trucks overtaking on stretches of road where a ban is in place. The changes will give police the power to issue on-the-spot fines that could be increased later to be over twice as high as the existing financial penalties.

The changes have been announced by Martin Kupka, the country’s Minister of Transport. The plans have also been backed by his opposite number in the opposition.

According to the Czech Republic’s state broadcaster, overtaking for large trucks is currently prohibited in 145 different places in the country. An example of this is a 6-kilometre stretch on the D8 motorway that is said to be routinely ignored by lorry drivers.
CT24 reports that the police believes the rules are being flouted due to a lack of a deterrent. They believe the fines are too low and can only be paid through a slow administrative procedure.

In a bid to address this, police are monitoring overtaking ban compliance by using drones, while on-the-spot fines shall also be introduced.
As it stands, violations of the overtaking ban can see drivers face the risk of receiving seven points on their licence, plus a fine of 10,000 CZK (roughly €425).
Under the proposed plans, drivers would have to pay the €425 on the spot, and in further administrative proceedings, could eventually be punished with a fine of 25,000 CZK (around €1,000).

Martin Kupka argues that the changes will make the roads safer, while opposition MP Martin Kolovratník is quoted as saying he supports “not only toughening the punishment for truck drivers, but also increasing the powers of the police.”

Read more at trans.info.