Italy suspends hundreds of speed cameras over new rules

Italy has temporarily halted operations of hundreds of speed cameras across the country after they failed to meet new regulatory standards. The Ministry of Transport implemented stricter rules for speed cameras, which came into effect recently.

These new regulations mandate that speed cameras must not only blur the faces of drivers and passengers but also maintain a margin of error below three percent for speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. Currently, only about 3,150 speed cameras have been certified as compliant and will continue to operate on major roads. The manufacturers of the remaining 850 cameras must submit new applications for recertification within the coming months, according to the ministry.

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Enough with the existence of these 'ghost speed cameras,' which are nothing more than a hidden tax to squeeze the pockets of millions of workers and do not help at all in improving road safety.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini criticized the "ghost speed cameras," calling them a "hidden tax" that burdens workers without improving road safety. The Italian highway code has required speed cameras to be certified since 1992, but official implementation directives were lacking until recently. This issue culminated in a 2024 Supreme Court decision declaring fines from uncertified cameras invalid, triggering a wave of appeals from motorists.

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The step (suspension) has actually been implemented too late.