Careening Through Cash: The High-Speed Toll Tally of an Italian Commuter
Individual Faced with a 28,000 Euro Fine in Italy for Blitzer Violation
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link
An Italian commuter from Nizza Monferrato in the Piemont region has racked up an astounding 100 speeding fines totaling €28,000. Tired of this whirlwind of financial penalties, Andrea Ferretto is taking a stand and aiming to have the speed camera relocated.
Andrea Ferretto, a security guard in a Tortona supermarket, faces a daily grind commuting between home and work. Unbeknownst to him, a speed camera in Bazzana di Mombaruzzo became his relentless adversary, nabbing him a staggering 100 times in just six months. "Every day, twice a day, I drove past that camera without a second thought," Ferretto lamented to IlNazionale. "Hidden behind a three-meter-high hedge, it operated like a modern-day bogeyman."
Ferretto questions the legitimacy of the fines, citing a ruling from Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation that speed cameras must be announced in advance, be precisely marked, and be visible. However, the camera was not only hidden but also not legally sanctioned for use. "I'm no saint," Ferretto acknowledges, "but making mistakes doesn't mean I deserve to be penalized every day for six months."
Overdue and Alas, Too Late
The offenses date back to 2021, with fines trickling in occasionally between 2022 and 2023. With his work often taking him away, Ferretto often found the reminders casually tucked away in his inbox. He saved some fines, hoping to contest them - that is, until the provincial authority sent him a document affixing all the penalties and the mind-boggling total.
His lawyer couldn't offer much aid - legally, it's too late for objections, and the paperwork checked all the right boxes. For Ferretto, whose monthly income hovers around €1,100, this bill is a crippling blow. Last week, he received a seizure threat for his lone automobile and motorbike.
"I guess it's time to cough up the cash," Ferretto sighs. However, he remains resolute, demanding the camera's removal and relocation to a more conspicuous location. "I aim to raise awareness. I don't want anyone to suffer similar consequences as I."
ITALY | SPEEDING FINES---------|----------
- Speed Cameras in Italy: Officially known as "autovelox," these cameras must display signage announcing the presence of electronic speed control areas [2][4]. However, the law does not specify any particular rules for camera visibility.
- Challenging Past Fines: Should a driver contest the fine based on noncompliance with placement or visibility requirements, the primary argument would be the inadequacy of signage. The contestation process typically involves receiving documentation of the fine, identifying legal grounds for contestation, and submitting an appeal through administrative channels or the courts.
- Importance of Speed Limit Adherence: New regulations require motorists to exceed the speed limit by at least 50 km/h for a fine to be imposed in most areas [1]. Strict adherence to speed limits is essential in avoiding fines.
- Andrea Ferretto, in an attempt to address the issue of a questionable speed camera, is advocating for vocational training to be provided to local law enforcement on community policy regarding the placement and visibility of speed cameras, as well as business and general-news outlets covering the crime-and-justice story of his finances crippling under a high-speed toll tally.
- Recognizing the financial burden caused by the excessive speeding fines, Andrea Ferretto is considering the prospects of gaining vocational training to improve his skills and potentially secure a better-paying job, which could alleviate the debt stemming from the speed camera incidents, as reported in the general-news section of various publications.
