Driving in Italy

[ufo_investigations]

If you travel to Italy be real careful where you drive. A friend of mine got back from there about 4 months ago and he now has received a letterbox full of fines from there. There is a law there called 'Zona traffico limitato'. Basically if your number plate is on the list then you are allowed to drive in that street if not the camera takes a photo and you get a fine in the mail.  My friend has to pay over 700 euros in fines now.

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zona_a_traffico_limitato

[cherry*135]

When I went to Florence in 2011, the main centre of the old town wasn't open to traffic, no cars, scooters, buses. Makes it safer for pedestrian/tourists to walk around and look at all the attractions.

Wouldn't drivers realise they were driving in those places where traffic is restricted?

Or enquire different rules etc that may be in place when picking up the rental car?

[ufo_investigations]

My friend thought it meant that he couldn't park in those streets he didn't know you could get booked simply for driving in a residential street.

[cherry*135]

Oh dear..expensive lesson.

[ufo_investigations]

I think they have this law so that only the residents of the street are allowed to drive in there or their friends that are authorised to drive in there.

[latina4621]

crazy!

[cherry*135]

I think they have this law so that only the residents of the street are allowed to drive in there or their friends that are authorised to drive in there.

Prevents traffic congestion I suppose. Some of those streets in the older parts of towns etc are very narrow.

Pity it isn't made clear to international tourists though by the rental car companies.

[ufo_investigations]

Prevents traffic congestion I suppose. Some of those streets in the older parts of towns etc are very narrow.

Pity it isn't made clear to international tourists though by the rental car companies.

Nope! no one told him. The signs are written in Italian but he should have looked into their road rules before driving around. It's pretty strict this but that is the law there.

[meh_too]

I would not pay. What are they going to do?

[ufo_investigations]

I would not pay. What are they going to do?

If you plan on going back to Italy or any EU country you will have a record against your name so he is paying the fines to clear everything. Very expensive lesson.