Switched off: Due to new regulations, many speed traps are no longer allowed to measure speed.Image: IMAGO
A decades-long legal battle over the approval of speed measuring devices is now having consequences. Italy is now decommissioning a large part of its radar systems. Thousands of devices are on the brink of failure.
July 13, 2026, 12:43 amJuly 13, 2026, 12:43 am
Markus Abrahamczyk / t-online
In Italy, 850 radar devices must now be switched off. The devices are no longer allowed to measure speeds. This is how a new decree from the Italian Ministry of Transport stipulates uniform approval requirements for all measuring systems.
In total, there are around 4,000 speedometers on Italy’s roads. The shutdown affects those 850 devices that are too old to meet current technical requirements. According to the Ministry of Transport, transitional regulations initially apply to the remaining systems.
Justice stops years of practice by the authorities
There is a serious judicial scandal behind the decree. Since the introduction of the current road traffic regulations in 1992, Italy has required every radar device to receive formal type approval before use. In practice, however, the responsible Ministry of Transport was content with a simpler, legally weaker approval for decades.
Italy’s highest court has now stopped this practice in several rulings. The judges made it clear that both procedures are not legally equivalent. Drivers who challenged their fines for excessive speed were therefore often proven right in court.
Strict controls for all measuring devices
The new decree now creates a uniform procedure for the first time. The rules at a glance:
- Calibration requirement: Technicians must precisely adjust each device before initial use.
- Annual inspection: The Ministry requires strict annual inspections.
- Immediate ban on operation: If a test certificate expires, the device will be switched off immediately. It may no longer be used until the next successful inspection.
Experts warn of speeders in holiday traffic
Traffic consultants view the switch-off of speed cameras with great concern – especially in view of the heavy holiday traffic. They fear that speeders could see the shutdown as a license.
At the same time, many municipalities are losing an important source of income. In Italy, radar systems have been highly controversial for years, as many municipalities use speed controls specifically to increase their income. In 2024 alone, 1.7 billion euros from fines flowed into the country’s coffers – more than ever before.