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There are around 11,000 speed cameras in Italy.

They fall into four categories:

• Fixed speed cameras (Autovelox fissi): These are permanently located in known spots, often on rural roads and near towns. They are usually clearly visible, being installed in grey or blue boxes.
• Mobile speed cameras (Autovelox Mobili): These measuring devices are set up temporarily and are often monitored by the police. They are typically installed at the side of rural roads, on bridges or in vehicles.
• The Tutor/SICVE system measures average speed over several kilometres. It is mainly used on motorways. The system is highly effective. This is because short braking manoeuvres are ineffective due to the distance measurement.
• ZTL cameras (Zona a Traffico Limitato): These cameras automatically record vehicle licence plates and are used for access control, not speed measurement. They are mainly used in city centres (e.g. Rome, Florence and Milan).

 

Speed cameras must be signposted

A special feature is that they must be signposted with traffic signs such as 'Controllo elettronico della velocità'. The devices must be visibly displayed. Flash photography from 'ambushes' is not permitted. Mobile speed cameras are often less conspicuous, but they are also signposted.

 

Many cameras are not activated

However, it should be noted that not every speed camera is triggered by speeding. This is simply because not all speed cameras are active.
In a statistical analysis, the Italian automotive magazine Quattroruote found that only 3,100 of the 11,000 speed cameras are active. A further 600 are active but operated at a federal level. These statistics were made possible by the 'Operazione Verità' initiative of the Minister of Transport and Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini. As part of this initiative, a central register was created into which all speed cameras had to be entered. Although they can be reported retrospectively, they are now recorded in the system and can only be used after registration.

 

According to the statistics, speed cameras are most commonly used in Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. In other regions, such as Crotone and Gallura, however, no speed cameras are used.
Nevertheless, these figures are subject to change, as speed cameras can be added at any time, and it is likely that many have already been registered as a precautionary measure. It is certain, but surprising, that not every speed camera in Italy triggers when a vehicle is travelling at excessive speed.

 

Speed controls are a significant economic factor for municipalities.

As the magazine noted, the revenue amounted to approximately 2 billion euros in 2024. This was 10% higher than in 2023. Milan is once again the frontrunner, having increased by +39%.

It is not known whether our security concerns were the reason for Rome installing 60 cameras and 30 km/h zones.

 

 

Picture: Dr. Wolf-Henning Hammer