As of 31 December 2020, new rules for operation of drones will start to apply in the Czech Republic as well as in Europe. They will apply to both newly sold and previously purchased devices. The rules will apply also to aircraft models and all unmanned airplanes. Drones will be newly sorted in three categories and operators must register on the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. Operators will receive a registration number to mark all of their drones. New rules respond to the current situation in the rapidly changing sector.
The new electronic vignettes with validity from 1 January 2021 are now available for purchase. The e-vignettes can be bought at edalnice.cz, post offices and petrol stations EuroOil. On the first day (1 December 2020) people bought on the e-shop eDalnice 2,398 e-vignettes in the total amount of CZK 3,541,395. In most of the cases, people purchased a one-year vignette (2,333). The petrol stations EuroOil sold 137 e-vignettes and post offices 281 e-vignettes. In total, 2,861 electronic vignettes were sold on the first day.
After a complete reconstruction, the highest bridge on D1 is fully open. The bridge Vysočina by Velké Meziříčí, which is 425 metres long and 70 metres high, was widened to 12.5 metres. The bottom part of the bridge was reconstructed and the surface is protected against corrosion. The modernisation roadworks on section 19 of D1 ended on Sunday 29 November.
Drivers can use two new sections of motorway D6 to Karlovy Vary. These concern Nové Strašecí–Řevničov and Řevničov bypass. Extension of D6 motorway will make driving safer and smoother as well as shorten the traveling time between Prague and Karlovy Vary.
Today, the government decided to change the toll rates for lorries over 3.5 tonnes. As of 1 January 2021, the charge for the use of motorways and certain first-class roads will newly consist of three parts - the usual charge for the use of infrastructure, but also charges for noise and pollution. The collected money will be spent on the infrastructure and on reducing the impacts of transport, e.g. construction of noise barriers.
This year, the roadworks on D1 have been the longest and most restricting. The modernisation took place on 7 sections in a total length of 71 out of 160 kilometres concerned between Mirošovice and Kývalka. During the winter break, all works will be stopped and the motorway will remain fully open.