Italy road safety and traffic enforcement

Road safety concerns in Italy have centered on traffic violations, vehicle compliance, and substance use. Initial reports highlighted the difficulty of enforcing cycling regulations, noting that cyclists face fines between 167 and 665 euros for running red lights, though the lack of license plates makes enforcement challenging. In Petrosino, residents requested a ‘Zone 30’ speed limit on the Lungomare del Biscione to mitigate high-speed driving by cars and motorcycles.

Subsequent safety inspections revealed further regulatory issues. In Piacenza, authorities identified several non-compliant e-bikes modified to reach speeds of 46 km/h, exceeding the legal 25 km/h limit. These inspections resulted in over 22,500 euros in fines for various infractions, including lack of insurance and driving without licenses. Additionally, an anti-alcohol campaign in Marina di Ravenna reported high rates of intoxication, noting that 75.9% of tested minors were under the influence of alcohol.

Recent enforcement efforts have intensified across multiple regions. In Piacenza, local police utilized specialized testing equipment to inspect e-bikes and scooters, finding that 5 out of 7 vehicles were non-compliant, frequently due to illegal engine modifications. In the Alto Adige region, Carabinieri patrols near mountain passes reported numerous driving violations and several drivers losing their licenses due to alcohol consumption. In Fermo, a crackdown on drunk driving resulted in 11 revoked licenses and 10 reports to judicial authorities, with a notable number of offenders being new drivers.