The amendment to the Road Traffic Act simplifies the points system and tightens penalties for the most serious offences. It also introduces a mandatory prevention programme for drivers-beginners who commit serious traffic offences. The proposal also allows driving from the age of 17 under the supervision of a mentor. The amendment will go to the Chamber of Deputies and will be effective from 2024.
Transport minister Martin Kupka presented the priorities of the Ministry for this year. Currently, a record of 241.3 kilometres of motorways and Category I roads are under construction and most of them shall open in 2023 and 2024. We are also simplifying communication with the authorities and access to information in the transport area, we will add other functions to the Transport Portal, we have proposed to make the points system clearer and are preparing the cancellation of the big car paper from the beginning of 2024.
The start of key transport projects, the successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union, further significant progress in the digitisation of transport agendas, successful negotiation of a record budget for transport investments and organisation of humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees. That was the year 2022 at the Ministry of Transportation.
ŘSD, the Czech roads and motorways manager, opened another part of the D35 motorway between Časy and Ostrov. It is the continuation of the section between Opatovice nad Labem and Časy, which was opened last year, and it is therefore another motorway section that will replace the I/35 road with poor capacity and safety. The opening of the section was also attended by prime minister Petr Fiala.
ŘSD started the construction of the D1 motorway between Říkovice and Přerov. This is the last missing section of the D1 motorway. Its opening will complete our oldest, longest and most important motorway.
OneTicket, the universal train ticket system, will now receive a new type of travel document. Since 11 December, people can buy a one-day network ticket for travelling around the Czech Republic.