The Italian government has tightened road safety laws, cracking down on e-scooters and introducing harsher sanctions for drink driving.
E-scooters, which spiked in popularity after the coronavirus lockdowns, will now require a registration plate and must be insured for use on public roads, according to a decree law adopted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet.
There were over 45,000 rental e-scooters in Italy in 2021, according to the Sharing Mobility Observatory.
They have proved a hit, particularly in cities with heavy traffic or few cycle routes, but drivers complain they are dangerous, and they are regularly left blocking footpaths or disabled access routes in major cities.
Tourists and locals can also often be seen whizzing around busy roads in Rome without helmets.
Users will have to wear a helmet and it will be illegal to park the e-scooters on pavements under the bill, drawn up by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.
It also increases penalties for drink driving, from imposing so-called Alcolocks, which require a driver to provide a breath sample before starting the vehicle to a 30-year ban for those who cause serious incidents while under the influence of alcohol.
Young people who have just passed their driving test can get bonus points for attending road safety courses.
Mr Salvini drew on the advice of various experts for the bill, as well as meeting with "influencers" on how best to communicate with young people about road safety, the ministry said.
Nearly 1,500 people were killed in road accidents last year, according to Italy's traffic police an increase of 11% on 2021.
Italy had 53 road deaths per million inhabitants in 2022, compared to 49 in France and 34 in Germany, while the EU average is 46, European Commission data showed.
In the latest high-profile case, YouTubers driving a Lamborghini for a stunt crashed into a family car in Rome earlier this month, killing a five-year-old boy and injuring his mother and sister.
The decree comes into force immediately but must be converted into law by parliament within two months, during which time it can undergo changes.
