Caught in a Costly Speed Trap: Italian Driver Faces €28,000 in Fines
Heavy Fine Imposed: Individual repeatedly drives into same speed camera, facing a penalty of €28,000 - Fine of 28,000 dolars for person operating identical military vehicle
Ever felt like a recurring villain in a never-ending game of cat and mouse? That's exactly how Andrea Ferretto, a supermarket worker from Nizza Monferrato, feels, having amassed a staggering €28,000 in fines for triggering the same speed camera on a rural Italian road.
Duration: 1 Min
Unbeknownst to him, Ferretto had been sweeping past the sneaky speed camera hidden behind a three-meter-high hedge for half a year - the camera camouflaged by a curve and the immovable scenery. "I've been a bit dense, I guess," Ferretto admitted to Italian daily newspaper "La Stampa".
A Country with a Penchant for Speed Cameras
It's no secret that Italy loves its speed cameras. The Mediterranean country boats over 11,000 cameras, far outnumbering any other European nation, like Germany's 4,700. Speed limits outside urban areas often reach 90 km/h, 110 km/h on highways, and 130 km/h on motorways. Violators, especially foreign ones, know this too well, after receiving warning letters from Italians authorities.
Tip: Remember to keep an eye out for speed cameras, particularly in rural areas and ZTL zones.
Ferretto confessed to occasionally going a "few kilometers" faster than the speed limit. Fines initially came in regularly at usual amounts but quickly escalated to an alarming total of €28,000. Now, Ferretto is scrambling for a solution, hoping his lawyer can find a way out.
Criticizing the System
The security guard considered appealing the fines but decided against it, admitting his culpability in the speeding offense. However, he insists the speed camera at that particular location serves to collect revenue rather than promote road safety. So far, the authorities have stood their ground, leaving Ferretto feeling disillusioned.
GPS speed camera detectors are legal in Italy, but radar detectors are not. The fine for excessive speeding can range from €500 to €1,000, and non-compliance can result in additional penalties, like demerit points on a driver's license.
Note: ZTL zones, or restricted traffic areas, are sometimes monitored by video surveillance, and unauthorized entries can also result in fines.
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive regarding speed cameras in Italy, which has over 11,000 speed cameras, more than any other European nation like Germany's 4,700. Andrea Ferretto, a supermarket worker from Nizza Monferrato, accumulated €28,000 in fines for exceeding speed limits despite the presence of hidden speed cameras, particularly in rural areas.
