An increasing number of Chinese citizens are choosing to invest and settle in Portugal. Local traffic regulations are among the many pieces of information that warrant attention. On January 1, 2014, more than sixty amendments to Portuguese traffic laws came into effect. These changes include a reduction in the permitted blood alcohol concentration for drivers, new regulations for cyclists, and updated traffic rules for roundabouts.
Among the new regulations effective from the first day of 2014, there is a requirement for drivers who do not hold a European citizen card to carry their identification documents with them at all times. Another provision prohibits drivers from wearing headphones in both ears while driving.
Drivers who occupy the right-turn lane at a roundabout but do not turn right immediately will be subject to a fine ranging from 60 to 300 euros; this is a significant change among the amendments.
The new traffic laws also lower the tolerance for blood alcohol content for drivers. For novice drivers (those who have held a license for less than 3 years), drivers of ambulances or other emergency vehicles, school bus drivers, taxi drivers, heavy passenger vehicle drivers, and drivers of vehicles carrying hazardous materials, the current alcohol limit is no more than 0.2 grams per liter of blood.
These drivers will be fined if they are found to have a blood alcohol content exceeding the limit.
The new traffic laws have also designated certain “shared zones for people and vehicles,” where both pedestrians and vehicles are permitted to travel. Consequently, special traffic rules have been established for these areas, such as speed limits for vehicles, particularly those below 20 km/h.
The criteria for whether children require tickets on public transport have also changed. Before 2014, children under 12 years old and no taller than 1.5 meters were exempt from fares. Now, this height standard has been lowered to 1.35 meters, while the age limit remains 12 years old.
In the event of a traffic accident, in addition to the routine blood alcohol test, the driver involved must also undergo a drug test.
For cycling enthusiasts, the 2014 new traffic laws bring good news: cyclists are now permitted to ride on motor vehicle lanes.
When a fine for a traffic violation exceeds 200 euros, traffic police must inform the driver that they may pay in installments. Each installment payment must not be less than 50 euros, and the repayment period must not exceed 12 months.
