Driver escapes €550 speeding fine due to missing road sign

A driver in Italy has successfully appealed a €550 speeding fine after a court ruled that a missing speed limit sign rendered the automated traffic camera's evidence inadmissible.

Technicality saves motorist from multa

The incident occurred in February 2019 when the driver was caught by a fixed speed camera on the SP90 provincial road in Trentino, traveling at 130 km/h in a 70 km/h zone. Despite the alleged breach, the driver promptly filed an appeal.

In the first instance, the judge of peace upheld the municipality's case, citing that the speed camera was legally approved and its readings were equivalent to those from an officially homologated device. However, the appellate court later overturned this decision.

The tribunal found that a crucial factor was the absence of a repeated speed limit sign after an intersection, which the driver claimed to have entered from a nearby, publicly designated road. According to road traffic regulations, a new speed limit sign must be installed at least 150 meters before an automated speed control device, with an additional 'one-kilometer rule' applying when the preceding speed limit differs from the standard.

Given that the intersection was not initially marked with a speed limit sign, the court deemed the camera placement illegitimate and consequently annulled the fine.

This ruling highlights the importance of proper road signage in ensuring the reliability and admissibility of automated traffic enforcement systems.