San Donà di Piave bucks the trend by choosing not to turn off speed cameras

Even in the face of numerous judgments pending before justices of the peace for fines related to unapproved speed cameras, and the risk for municipalities to be called upon to pay court costs, the municipality of San Donà di Piave is taking a clear stand against the decisions of those who have already deactivated the systems. The mayor Alberto Teso and the municipal council have decided not to turn off the two detection systems currently operating in the area, taking direct administrative and political responsibility for the decision in a context of strong regulatory uncertainty related to the use of speed cameras without homologation - i.e. practically all of them - but duly authorised.

"We have chosen not to deactivate the devices because we believe it is an act of concrete protection towards road safety and the lives of our citizens," explained Mayor Teso. San Donà has already paid a very high price in terms of human lives. We cannot afford to lower our guard'.

The two speed cameras in question, which came into operation at midnight on 1 January 2022, are located on high traffic arteries: one along Regional Road 43 Caposile-Jesolo at km 11+480, which is particularly busy during the summer season, and one on Variante B of State Road 14 Via Mario Dal Monaco at km 1+300, at the height of the Granatieri bridge. Both sections have a speed limit of 90 km/h and have been the scene of numerous serious and fatal accidents in past years.

At present, the municipality has 13 pending court cases concerning appeals against fines imposed. Despite the legal difficulties and uncertainties, the Council intends to continue along this path, pending urgent clarification from the competent Ministry. "Ours is a choice of conscience, the only one possible for those who care about the safety of their community. It is now essential that the State play its part and provide, in a very short time, clear answers to all the mayors of the country, deciding whether these devices can remain or whether they should be removed,' Teso concluded.