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Italy has the most speed cameras in Europe, study shows

Italy tops the table for the number of speed cameras across the country's roads, compared to the rest of Europe, a new study has revealed.

Published: 29 May 2021 15:54 CEST
Italy has the most speed cameras in Europe, study shows
Watch out, there are over 8,000 speed cameras in Italy. (Photo by XAVIER LEOTY / AFP)

Driving on Italy’s roads can be a scenic delight but it also turns out they are the most speed-regulated in Europe, as they have the highest amount of speed cameras in Europe, a new study by driving institute Zutobi found.

Italy’s figure for those sometimes sneaky ‘autovelox‘ comes in at 8,073, far outpacing the figures for Germany (3,813) and France (2,406).

Compared to Slovakia’s tiny total of 13 speed cameras across the entire country, driving in Italy entails a reasonable amount of caution to avoid speeding fines.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How do you take your driving test in Italy?

In fact, the report has gathered data on the countries with the strictest speeding fines too – and Italy features highly again, coming second only to Norway.

Fines for speeding on the motorway start at €143 and drink driving charges start at €1,500.

If you think that’s steep, Norway raced in first with €711 and an eye-watering €5,783 for these fines respectively.

Italy features highly for driving fines compared to Europe, with the most amount of speed cameras. Source: Zutobi

At the other end of the scale, the least strict country in Europe for driving fines is Albania, with motorway speeding starting at just €20 and an almost unnoticeable €8 fine if you’re caught using your mobile phone while driving.

UPDATE: What are the rules on driving between Italy and the UK right now?

On the other hand, Italy’s fines for making a call or texting while on the road start at €160.

At the other end of the scale, these countries are lax with their driving fines, with Albania placing first for the least strict in Europe. Source: Zutobi

Zutobi gathered its data on fines, speed limits and blood alcohol limits from Speeding Europe, SCBD and Auto Europe.

Member comments

  1. Hihihi – but they still drive as they had won the driving license in a KINDER-Egg. Overtaking even with double line and left and right. Close up if you respect the speed. Park on the emergency strip to save 1€ of parking…
    SO maybe the speed cameras were mostly a good uma-uma business.

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DRIVING

Reader question: How can I buy a telepass for my trip to Italy?

For long-distance travel by road in Italy, you may want to use the Telepass system - but how can you sign up before you arrive in the country?

Published: 16 April 2024 12:12 CEST
Reader question: How can I buy a telepass for my trip to Italy?

Question: “I’ve tried to buy a telepass for Italy’s autostrade from a German company online, but they refuse to send the unit to my United Kingdom address. Do you know how I can buy a telepass electronic travel unit before my trip?”

If you use Italy’s autostrade or motorways, you’ve no doubt heard about the Telepass system.

It’s not essential to have a Telepass, but it can be a more convenient (and cheaper) way to use Italy’s motorways, as well as to pay for parking, and even for other transport services like taxis, trains and ferries.

The Telepass is best known as a device that you stick in your vehicle which lets you pass through Italy’s motorway tolls without queuing at the gates or having to stop and pay with cash or card.

If you have it, you can drive through dedicated toll lanes (you’ll see yellow lines and sometimes a yellow ‘T’ on the road). The barrier will lift automatically and you can drive right through once you hear the device beep.

Telepass Europe plans also allow the device to be used on motorways in Spain, France and Portugal.

READ ALSO: What is Italy’s Telepass and how do you use it?

People living in Italy usually pay a monthly subscription for the device, but there’s also a pay-as-you-go option too with a one-off activation charge of €10 which is usually more convenient for visitors.

See the official Telepass website for details of current offers and pricing plans. 

You can sign up directly via the Telepass website or the app, through which you’ll also make payments and keep track of your subscription and expenses.

There are also various third-party websites offering Telepass plans, but as our reader found, these do not always ship to addresses outside of mainland Europe.

READ ALSO: How to pay Italian traffic fines from abroad

The Telepass website says the device can be sent out to your home address. There does not appear to be any limitation on the countries to which the device can be shipped, but if in doubt you can contact the Telepass customer service team via their support page.

You can also choose to pick up your new device from a Telepass point, located at gas stations around Italy.

Do you have a question about travel in Italy? Get in touch with the team at The Local by email.

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