Prague will become the capital of road infrastructure for a week. It will host the 27th World Road Congress, organised by the World Road Association PIARC. The prestigious event will return to Prague after 52 years. More than 3 500 delegates from around the world will attend the Congress, with a record 35 national pavilions and more than 300 exhibitors at the accompanying exhibition.
The State Fund for Transport Infrastructure will have CZK 150.5 billion at its disposal next year. The draft budget of the Fund was approved by the Committee of the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure. The budget is made up of national resources amounting to CZK 118.4 billion, of which 26 billion is debt financing, and of European funds amounting to CZK 32.1.
During tomorrow's meeting of the COREPER I Permanent Representatives Committee, the Czech Republic will present its reservations to the current draft EURO 7 emission standard to the representatives of Spain, which holds the EU Council Presidency since 1 July. This is the next step in the negotiations to change the wording of this standard. The Czech Republic has long sought to postpone the effect date of the emission standard and to significantly modify its key parameters. More member states are on its side.
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 fresh drivers who commit serious traffic offences. The proposal, which was approved by the parliament in its third reading, also allows people as young as 17 to drive a car under the supervision of a mentor. The amendment will now go to the senate for further consideration. If passed here and signed by the president, the act will be effective from 2024.
The Ministry of Transport, the Association of Driving Schools of the Czech Republic, the Police of the Czech Republic and the United Organisation of the Blind and Partially Sighted have introduced another set of static and dynamic questions for applicants for a driving licence. This sixth series covers, among other things, understanding the needs of the blind as road users, but also the behaviour of other groups of pedestrians, cyclists and the correct driving of motorcyclists.
Motorway tolls will change from March 2024. It will now be possible to pay for a one-day vignette for CZK 200, the ten-day vignette will cost CZK 270 and the monthly vignette will cost CZK 430. The annual fee will cost CZK 2300 from March next year. This follows from the draft amendment to the Act on Roads, which includes the mandatory proportionality of prices for individual types of vignettes according to the European Directive.