The cabinet has approved a package of laws in an effort to improve road safety in Italy after 42 people died in car accidents over the weekend of 2-4 March. The country holds one of the worst road safety records in Europe, with 5,426 people killed in 2005 according to figures from national statistics bureau Istat. The average number of deaths in other European countries is around 3,000 a year. Around 44 per cent of all night-time car accidents in Italy occur on Fridays and Saturdays. Under the new initiatives presented by transport minister Alessandro Bianchi on 7 March, drivers found guilty of dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could face fines of up to