Higher speed limits, new scooter and bike rules – fresh Highway Code comes into force soon in Hungary

The government has thrown open the new Highway Code draft for public debate, packed with updates since the last rules were inked over 51 years ago. The bill is now live on the website of János Lázár, the Minister for Construction and Transport. Key changes include jacked-up speed limits, overhauled overtaking rules, and beefed-up protections for cyclists and scooter riders – from cars and their own daring antics.

Minister calls for collective brainstorm

The Highway Code is our shared business – let’s shape it together, declared the Construction and Transport Minister on his Facebook page on Tuesday. Since the old code’s adoption, life has accelerated, with more of us zipping about more often, he said. “Everything tied to roads has shifted: the tarmac, the vehicles, the drivers,” noted the cabinet chief. We collected in an article what you should know about the basic rules and customs of driving in Hungary.

He went on to say that over the past 18 months, experts and interest groups had forged a ground-up new Highway Code – the broadest professional consensus yet. For the minister, “safe travel sits at its heart; the core principle shields the vulnerable road user from the mighty.” The draft is under public scrutiny now, with parliament – likely post-April elections – set to rubber-stamp it.

Key Highway Code shake-ups

According to a Blikk rundown, these are the big daily-life tweaks once the new code passes and kicks in:

• Speed limits on some dual carriageways rise from 110 to 120 km/h;
• Certain motorway stretches allow 140 km/h blasts;
• Only vehicles hitting at least 70 km/h qualify for motorways;
• Overtaking trucks over 3.5 tonnes becomes outright illegal;
• Cyclists cap at 10 km/h on pavements or pedestrian zones, 25 km/h on bike paths;
• Low-power scooters (max 25 km/h) for over-12s only; first two years mandate helmets, 10 km/h on pavements, 20 km/h elsewhere;
• No cycling under the influence of booze;

Brutal video: Budapest cyclist almost lost his life for obeying the Highway Code

• Scooters topping 45 km/h count as mopeds, barring under-14s;
• Tailgating ties to speed: 2 seconds on motorways, 1 second on dual carriageways;
• Signal turns or lane changes at least 2 seconds early;
• Lights on always;
• No phoning for pedestrians on roads or rail tracks;
• Swapping passengers in bus bays permitted for under a minute, even mounting the pavement, reports Telex;
• The state rolls out free online Highway Code and first-aid courses plus exams in schools; learner drivers foot only practical lessons;
• Later this year, booze-detection tech in cars blocks startups if you’re over the limit.