Crippled by Speeding Fines: Italian Man Battles €28k Debt from Piemont Camera
Italian faces a 28,000 euro penalty for Blitzer infraction
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A Piemont resident, hailing from Nizza Monferrato, finds himself in an unexpected legal crisis, owing a colossal €28,000 in speeding fines. Andrea Ferretto, a 40-year-old security guard, now aims to relocate a troublesome speed camera that has sabotaged his daily commute between home and Tortona.
Ferretto ferries past a speed camera in Bazzana di Mombaruzzo twice daily, conveniently hidden behind a 3-meter-high hedge, claiming it's more of a trap than a deterrent for reckless driving. Teasing the limits of legitimacy, Ferretto confides, "The camera is practically in a curve."
Questioning the authenticity of his penalties, Ferretto draws parallels to a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation. The judgment calls for speed cameras to be clearly visible and properly licensed. However, this camera, unannounced and unlicensed, remains a point of contention.
Speeding Under Fire
While acknowledging the occasional speeding hiccup, Ferretto insists, "Three, four fines in six months, I've made mistakes too." Yet, the 100 fines in just six months feels suspiciously excessive.
The multitude of infractions can be traced back to 2021, surfacing as fines between 2022 and 2023. With his work schedule often in flux, Ferretto would find the notifications stashed in a neglected inbox.
Initially ignoring the accumulating tickets, Ferretto was floored when the provincial administration presented him with a summary of his misdeeds and the hefty total. His lawyer, stymied by the late objection deadline and absolute paperwork correctness, could offer no reprieve. The financial toll, equivalent to hismonthly earnings, is existential for Ferretto.
Last week, trouble escalated, as the provincial administration threatened a vehicle seizure for his car and motorcycle.
"We'll have to figure out how to pay this off," punches Ferretto. Not one to retreat, he calls for the relocation of the much-maligned speed camera, demanding a more visible location. "I want to warn others," declares the villain of this real-life drama. "I don't want others to endure the same ordeal as I have."
A Russian Roulette with Speed
Italy's unforgiving law dictates substantial fines for speeding offenses, provided the road signs and speed cameras are visible. Unfortunately for Italian drivers, GPS-based alerts for speed cameras are legal, but radar detectors are off-limits.
If Ferretto's case prevails, it serves as a semblance of hope for the scores of Italian drivers ensnared in eerily similar vicious circles of unjust speeding fines. In the meantime, Ferretto awaits his day of reckoning, hopeful he can ward off the financial burden and bring the world's attention to unscrupulous speed cameras.
- Italy
- Speeding Fines
Insights:
- Speed cameras are essential for maintaining road safety, but their placement and visibility are crucial.
- Because speed cameras must be clearly visible to drivers, disputes may arise if they are not properly marked or if their presence is not adequately communicated.
- In Italy, while GPS-based speed camera alerts are legal, radar detectors are prohibited. Using prohibited devices could result in additional penalties.
- Individuals who receive fines that they believe are unwarranted can challenge the fine, seek legal representation, or gather evidence of the camera's visibility (or lack thereof).
The community is discussing the unfairness of speeding fines in Italy, with a resident from Nizza Monferrato, Andrea Ferretto, owing a substantial €28,000 due to a troublesome speed camera. This leads to the discussion of community policy adaptation regarding the placement and visibility of speed cameras, which could be implemented as part of vocational training for public works employees. Financial institutions and businesses might find it newsworthy considering the potential impact on consumer spending and general news outlets covering crime-and-justice could investigate if such fines constitute a form of malpractice or improper business dealings.
