Italy road safety measures

In late July 2026, Italy intensified its focus on road safety. A parliamentary bill introduced by Deputy Marco Ghio called for wider sidewalks, a mandatory 1.5‑metre passing distance for heavy vehicles, easier approval of raised pedestrian crossings, diagonal crossings with all‑direction green lights, and low‑cost sensors to detect cyclists and pedestrians in heavy‑vehicle blind spots. The proposal was framed as a response to a fatal cyclist‑truck collision and also included a motion by the Fratelli d’Italia group in Aosta to enlist army personnel for street patrols under the 2008 “Strade Sicure” programme, aiming to curb crime and support police.

A week later, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, together with the Lazio regional government and state road operator ANAS, launched a technical working group to address safety problems on the historic SS 1 Aurelia corridor. The group will identify priority interventions to improve road safety, traffic flow and service quality on the heavily used route. Experts also highlighted broader issues such as driver behaviour and the need for infrastructure maintenance.

Together, the legislative initiative and the technical working group illustrate a coordinated push in Italy to combine new regulatory standards, targeted infrastructure upgrades, and even military support to reduce accidents and enhance public safety on its roads.