Increases in traffic fines up to 17.6% since January. With penalties for using a cell phone while driving and for crossing red lights they could reach almost 200 euroswhile they would surpass one thousand euros are fines for exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h. It is the effect of the possible adjustment to inflation foreseen by the Highway Code, which has been blocked for four years. Therefore, if the executive, and in particular the Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini, do not intervene with a new stop to the increases, as denounced by consumer associations, there will be a real sting on Italian motorists who violate the rules.
Municipalities, for their part, could benefit from growing revenues: from January to today the fines have already been worth over 1.4 billion and by the end of the year we could reach close to those 1.8 billion already recorded in 2023. With the possible increases, therefore, next year we could exceed the 2 billion mark . A godsend for cities, given the budgets that are difficult to close between inflation and new budget cuts to funds for local authorities.
According to a report by Assutenti, since the beginning of the year the cities that have collected the most from fines are Milan (136 million), Rome (97 million) and Turin (48.7 million). Immediately after there are: Florence (30.9 million), Genoa (28.6 million), Naples (25 million), Bologna (20 million), Verona (17.6 million), Palermo (15 million), Venice (13 .8 million), Bari (5.6 million) and Catania (5 million).
THE MECHANISM
The National Consumers Union recalls how the update was suspended in the last two years to avoid aggravations after the Covid epidemic, but now risks – without government intervention – accumulating and triggering automatically considering the inflation not only of the two-year period 2022 -2024 underway, but also the one previously blocked (2020-2022).
Article 195 of the Highway Code provides that «the measure of administrative pecuniary sanctions is updated every two years in an amount equal to the entire variation, ascertained by Istat, of the consumer price index for families of workers and employees ( national average) occurred in the previous two years”. An adjustment that the government had finally decided to block with the 2023 budget law, until the end of 2024.
Salvini, ok to new rules of the highway code to get below 3000 deaths a year
THE PLAN
However, Assoutenti calculates a possible more prudential increase of 6%. If that were the case there would be a increase of 10 euros in the fine for using a mobile phone while driving, from 165 to 175 euros, or 3 euros for one for parking restrictions, from 42 to 45 euros.
Exceeding the speed limits from 10 to 40 kilometers would instead go from 173 to 183 euros (+10 euros), and from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour from 543 to 576 euros (+33 euros). The fine would ultimately reach 896 euros in the event of exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 kilometers per hour (+51 euros). «It is important to prosecute traffic violations that put public safety at risk, but it is certainly not by increasing the amounts of fines that greater safety on our roads will be guaranteed», comments the president of Assoutenti, Gabriele Melluso, proposing an extraordinary two-year educational plan in high schools and asking for a new suspension of increases.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Savings and investments, every Friday
Sign up and receive news via email
Traffic Fines: A Comedic Take on the Rising Costs
Well, well, well! It seems the government has decided that motorists in Italy need a little more incentive to drive like sensible human beings. Yes, you heard it right – traffic fines have spiked up to a staggering 17.6% this year! That’s right; by January, if you’re caught using your phone while driving or breezing through a red light, you could be handing over nearly 200 euros. And if you feel like channeling your inner speed demon and exceed the speed limit by more than 60 km/h? Apparently, you’ll be donating over 1,000 euros to the state. That’s what I call a ‘fast-track’ to poverty!
Cha-Ching for Cities!
Now, hold onto your wallets, folks, because the local municipalities are about to hit the jackpot! From January to the present day, fines have already raked in over 1.4 billion euros. At this rate, by the end of the year, they might just break the 1.8 billion euros mark, and dare I say, next year could see fines surpassing the magical 2 billion euros threshold. It’s like an episode of *The Price is Right*, but with more crying…from drivers, that is!
And which cities are cashing in on our misfortunes? You’re looking at Milan leading the pack with 136 million euros, closely followed by Rome and Turin. If fines were a competitive sport, Milan would be the Usain Bolt of road penalties! I can see the tourist brochures now: ‘Visit Milan; see the sights, and pay some hefty fines!’
The Mechanism of Madness
According to the National Consumers Union, this sinister plan has been gathering dust for the past four years. The government, in their infinite wisdom (or madness?), saw fit to suspend updates to these fines to spare us from further agony post-COVID. But, as you might have guessed, this means a *huge* backlog is looming. Think of it as a snowball rolling down a hill of traffic violations; it’s going to get big and ugly, and you’ll be the one on the receiving end!
The Plan: More Fines, More Problems?
What’s the government’s great idea for curbing these infractions? A modest increase in fines – because nothing says ‘safety first’ like emptying the wallets of those who violate the rules! Assoutenti suggests a more “prudent” increase of a mere 6%. Sure, that means your fine for a cheeky text while cruising will jump from 165 euros to 175 euros. Cheeky! That’s like raising the price of a pint while the entire pub is already outrageously expensive!
While it’s important we don’t want violators tearing through red lights like they’re auditioning for *Fast & Furious*, is slapping on larger fines really the answer? Perhaps they should consider an extraordinary educational plan for high schoolers. You know, teach them the perils of driving with one hand on the wheel and the other scrolling TikTok. Maybe we can just equip them all with *common sense* for the low, low price of… well, not driving recklessly!
In the end, it seems the new strategy is simple: less driving; more educating…and definitely more laughing as we watch the local governments thrive off our reckless behavior. Remember folks, drive safe! Your wallet will thank you.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Savings and investments, every Friday
Sign up and receive news via email
Since January, traffic fines in Italy have seen an increase of up to 17.6%. Notably, penalties for using a cell phone while driving and for running red lights could now approach 200 euros. In more severe cases, fines for exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h could well surpass 1,000 euros. This rise reflects a potential adjustment for inflation mandated by the Highway Code, a measure that has been stagnant for the past four years. Industry experts warn that unless the government intervenes, particularly Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini, to halt further increases—which consumer associations have argued against—drivers who flout road rules will face a significant financial penalty.
From January to the present, municipalities have seen a boon in revenues from fines, tallying over 1.4 billion euros. Projections indicate that by year-end, totals could soar close to the 1.8 billion euros recorded in 2023. Should fines continue to ascend, estimates suggest that next year’s figure could breach the remarkable 2 billion euro threshold. This influx represents a financial windfall for cash-strapped cities grappling with tight budgets, exacerbated by inflation and cuts to funding for local authorities.
According to a report by Assutenti, the cities that have generated the most revenue from fines this year are Milan, which has amassed 136 million euros, followed by Rome with 97 million euros, and Turin with 48.7 million euros. Other notable cities in terms of fine collections include Florence with 30.9 million euros, Genoa at 28.6 million euros, and Naples totaling 25 million euros. The data continues with Bologna at 20 million euros, Verona with 17.6 million euros, and Palermo at 15 million euros, among others.
THE MECHANISM
The National Consumers Union points out that the adjustment of fines has been on hold for the last two years to mitigate the impact post-COVID, but now, without governmental action, the potential for a cumulative increase looms large. This adjustment will not only consider inflation from the ongoing 2022-2024 period but will also account for the previous suspension due to inflation during the years 2020-2022.
Article 195 of the Highway Code stipulates that administrative penalties be updated biennially, reflecting the full variation in the consumer price index established by Istat for the preceding two-year span. Recently, the government made the decision to suspend these adjustments, extending the freeze until the conclusion of 2024.
THE PLAN
Assoutenti’s analysis proposes a more conservative increase of around 6%. If implemented, this would translate to a notable 10 euro rise in the fine for using a mobile phone while driving, escalating from 165 to 175 euros, or a minor increase of 3 euros for parking violations, jumping from 42 to 45 euros.
Fines for speeding would also see adjustments: exceeding the speed limit by 10 to 40 kilometers per hour would rise from 173 to 183 euros (+10 euros), while those exceeding by 40 to 60 kilometers per hour would increase from 543 to 576 euros (+33 euros). The most significant fine would ultimately reach various levels, with penalties for exceeding limits by more than 60 kilometers per hour rising to 896 euros (+51 euros). Gabriele Melluso, president of Assoutenti, emphasized the importance of addressing traffic violations without solely relying on increased fines, advocating instead for comprehensive educational campaigns in schools and urging a suspension of additional hikes to ensure safer roads.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Savings and investments, every Friday
Sign up and receive news via email
What innovative strategies can be implemented to address the backlog of traffic infractions while enhancing road safety?
D but also reflect a pressing need to address the backlog of infractions that have accumulated during this time. With fines remaining unchanged, violators have had the upper hand—until now.
The Response: Education Over Punishment?
In light of these escalating penalties, the president of Assoutenti, Gabriele Melluso, has proposed a more innovative approach: a two-year educational plan aimed at high school students. This initiative aims to instill responsible driving habits and educate young people on the dangers of reckless behavior behind the wheel. Melluso emphasizes that improving road safety shouldn’t solely rely on financial penalties—it requires a cultural shift in how we view driving and its associated responsibilities.
While the government grapples with the decision of increasing fines, perhaps it’s time to also think outside the box. Instead of raising fines to astronomical amounts, why not invest in education that could genuinely change driver behavior? A well-structured program targeting high schoolers could result in safer roads and potentially fewer fines in the long run. After all, nobody enjoys coughing up cash for infractions, and a little wisdom could go a long way.
Final Thoughts
As Italy navigates its approach to traffic penalties, it’s clear that a balance must be struck between enforcement and education. Cities may relish the influx of revenue from fines, but the ultimate goal should be to foster a safer driving culture. With tools like an educational initiative, we can hope for a future where people are more aware of the rules of the road, thereby reducing both accidents and the financial strain on drivers. So buckle up, stay off your phones, and let’s drive responsibly—your wallet and our roads deserve it!
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Savings and investments, every Friday
Sign up and receive news via email
