End of speed camera photos

Lovers as passengers: speed cameras as marriage killers

Many a speed camera photo has caused many a marriage to break up in Italy.

(Bild: APA/dpa/Marijan Murat (Archivbild))

Because speed camera photos have repeatedly put traffic offenders in unpleasant situations in recent years - because the photos also showed other people who perhaps shouldn't have been in the car - Italy has now stopped sending speed camera photos. Many a marriage is said to have ended in a flash. Meanwhile, the whole of Italy is looking for "Fleximan" ...

In Italy, photos from speed traps will no longer be sent out in future to protect privacy. This is the result of a new decree issued by the Ministry of Transport on Saturday.

Many a speed camera photo has caused many a marriage break-up in Italy.

(Bild: APA/dpa/Marijan Murat (Archivbild))

Exceptions only in the case of objections from speeders
According to the decree, speeding drivers and motorcyclists will only receive a penalty notice. The evidence photos from cameras, on which faces can also be recognized, will remain with the authorities. They will only be used if speeders lodge an objection. The regulation also applies to foreign holidaymakers who have been flashed on Italian roads. 

Italy: Record numbers of speed traps

In Italy - as in other countries - it has happened time and again in recent years that speed camera photos have put traffic offenders in unpleasant situations because other people who should perhaps not have been in the car were also visible in the photos. Some marriages are also said to have broken down in this way. Italy has more than 11,000 speed traps - more than any other European country. By comparison, Germany has 4,700. Despite this, the number of road deaths is extremely high. In 2022 it was 3200.

Italy is looking for speed trap terrorist "Fleximan"
 Incidentally, the speed trap "terror" who has been sawing off speed camera masts with an angle grinder for months is still being sought. He is often hailed as the "Robin Hood of motorists". Many motorized Italians believe that the state is ripping them off unabashedly.

Many imitators: "Fleximan is on the rise"
In any case, "Fleximan" is "diligent" and tireless in his efforts to get rid of speed traps. Sometimes the police found short letters of confession such as "Fleximan sta arrivando" ("Fleximan is coming"). The trail of destruction now stretches from South Tyrol to Calabria, making it clear that Fleximan is more than just one. Half a dozen public prosecutors' offices are now involved.