The Slovak Interior Ministry has proposed amendments to the Transport Act which primarily target aggressive, risk-taking drivers known colloquially in Slovakia as 'cestní piráti' (road pirates) and drunk drivers. The most noteworthy changes are increases in fines for speeding drivers in three categories. The first category - which covers travelling up to 20 km/h above the speed limit within a town, and up to 30 km/h above the speed limit outside of a town - will increase from a €50 fine to a €100 fine. The second category - 21-50 km/h above the speed limit inside a town, and 31-60 km/h outside of a town - will increase from the current €30-€400 fine range to an increased €150-€600 fine range. The third category, aimed at so-called road pirates - covering speeds beyond 50 km/h above the speed limit within a town, and beyond 60 km/h above the speed limit outside of a town - would see fines increase from the current €250-€800 range to a new fine range of €500-€1000. The proposed amendments also include tougher penalties for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol, whereby convicted drunk-drivers would need to pass psychological exams.
