New Traffic Fines: Up to €2,000 for the Most Serious Offences, Vehicle Seizure Also Possible

From August 1, new fines and measures for traffic offences are being applied in Montenegro. For the most serious violations, penalties can include fines of up to €2,000, driving bans, imprisonment and, in certain cases, temporary seizure of the vehicle.

Among the offences carrying the harshest sanctions are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, extreme speeding, running a red light, failing to comply with police orders and driving while a driving ban is in force.

Drivers with a blood alcohol level between 0.30 and 0.50 per mille face fines ranging from €70 to €200, while those with between 0.50 and 1.00 per mille can be fined between €300 and €2,000.

Driving with more than 1.00 per mille of alcohol can be punished by up to 60 days in prison or a high fine, along with a mandatory driving ban.

Refusing an alcohol or drug test is punishable by a fine of €600 to €2,000 and a mandatory driving ban, while driving under the influence of drugs or psychoactive substances carries a fine of €300 to €2,000 and a mandatory driving ban.

For young drivers aged 18 to 21, there is zero tolerance for alcohol. Additional restrictions also apply to them, including a ban on driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and a ban on driving vehicles with more than 80 kW of power, or around 109 horsepower.

Up to €2,000 for Extreme Speeding

Fines also increase depending on how far above the speed limit a driver is travelling.

Speeding by up to 10 km/h is punishable by a fine of €60 to €120, while exceeding the limit by 10 to 20 km/h carries a fine of €120 to €200. For speeding by 20 to 30 km/h, the fine ranges from €200 to €300.

Driving 30 to 50 km/h above the speed limit can result in a fine of €300 to €500, while speeding by 50 to 70 km/h carries a fine of €500 to €1,000.

The harshest penalties apply to extreme speeding. Driving more than 70 km/h above the speed limit in a populated area, or more than 90 km/h above the limit outside a populated area, is punishable by a fine of €1,000 to €2,000. In such cases, a driving ban is mandatory, while imprisonment of up to 60 days is also possible.

Running a Red Light Can Cost Up to €2,000

High fines also apply to other serious traffic offences.

Running a red light is punishable by a fine ranging from €300 to €2,000. The same maximum penalty can apply for failing to obey a police stop order. Overtaking across a solid line or at a location with poor visibility can result in a fine of €300 to €1,500.

Reckless driving can be punished by fines of €1,000 or more, together with a mandatory driving ban, while imprisonment may also be imposed in more serious cases.

Failing to comply with a police order, including refusing to stop, is punishable by a fine of €500 to €2,000 and a mandatory driving ban.

Driving while an existing driving ban is in force is treated particularly severely, with fines ranging from €1,000 to €2,000 or imprisonment.

Police May Temporarily Seize a Vehicle

One of the more significant measures is the possibility for police to temporarily seize a vehicle on the spot, while the competent authority decides on any further measures.

The measure is primarily aimed at repeat offenders who continue to commit the most serious traffic violations, including driving with more than 1.00 per mille of alcohol, refusing alcohol or drug testing, driving under the influence of drugs, extreme speeding, reckless driving and driving while banned from doing so.

Mobile Phone Use and Failure to Wear a Seat Belt: €150 to €400

The stricter penalties also cover offences that are common in everyday traffic.

Failing to wear a seat belt is punishable by a fine of €150 to €400. The same fine applies to holding and using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device.

Transporting a child without an appropriate child seat or other required safety equipment can result in a fine of €150 to €600. The same range applies to improper transport of children, such as carrying a child on one’s lap or transporting them in the front passenger seat contrary to regulations.

Up to €2,000 for Driving Without a Licence

Driving without a valid driving licence is punishable by a fine of €500 to €2,000 or imprisonment, along with a mandatory driving ban.

Driving an unregistered or technically unroadworthy vehicle carries a fine ranging from €300 to €1,000, and the vehicle may be removed from traffic.

Failing to carry required documents, including an ID card, driving licence or vehicle registration document, is punishable by a fine of €60 to €150 per document, while driving a vehicle without mandatory insurance carries a fine of €150 to €500.

Fines Also Apply to Pedestrians, Cyclists and E-Scooter Users

The new rules do not apply only to motorists.

A pedestrian crossing the road improperly can be fined between €60 and €150. The same penalty applies to cyclists riding at night without lights or otherwise violating traffic regulations. Improper use of an electric scooter is punishable by a fine ranging from €60 to €300, while using a mobile phone while riding a bicycle or scooter, or while on a pedestrian crossing, carries a fine of €60 to €150.

A fine of €60 to €150 also applies for failing to use required protective equipment, such as a helmet or lights, where their use is mandatory.

According to the information contained in the post, the measures are particularly aimed at drivers who repeatedly commit the most serious offences and pose a significant danger to road safety

( Vijesti online )