Naples, Italy – March 8, 2026 – The Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, has taken a decisive step that could redefine the landscape of traffic enforcement across Italy. Following the lead of the Cassation Court, di Bari has suspended the decrees authorizing speed controls for 67 fixed speed cameras in Naples and its surrounding province. The core issue: these devices are not homologated, meaning they lack official certification of their technical compliance and accuracy.
The Naples Precedent: A Blow to Unapproved Speed Cameras
This suspension, effective from early March, affects a significant number of speed cameras, prompting a nationwide discussion on the legitimacy of these instruments. Prefect di Bari’s decree clearly outlines the rationale: “In order to guarantee the full compliance and legitimacy of currently authorized devices, it is necessary to verify their conformity to new technical and operational criteria.” He further emphasized the need to ensure “the legality of administrative action, the certainty of traffic code violation assessments, and the protection of road users.” The suspension will remain in effect pending the adoption of implementing provisions related to the homologation of speed measuring devices and the technical conformity of each device.
The Naples case is poised to become a significant precedent. Luigi Vingiani, a lawyer and national secretary of the Confederation of Justices of the Peace, questioned why other prefects haven’t followed suit. “If the prefect has signed a just provision, we should ask ourselves why others are not following it,” Vingiani stated. He believes Naples is acting as an “opener,” likely due to a high number of successful appeals against fines. Vingiani highlighted the issue of ‘fiscal responsibility,’ arguing that maintaining illegitimate speed cameras in service creates a financial burden for the state due to overturned appeals and unjustly issued fines to unsuspecting motorists.
Expert Insights: A Flawed System?
Giorgio Marcon, a technical consultant for the Legal Protection Center, has long argued that many speed cameras are irregular. He emphasizes that the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Mimit) is responsible for legalizing these instruments, a process that allows for the verification of their technical characteristics. Marcon points out that measuring devices are susceptible to environmental factors like humidity and atmospheric pressure, which can alter their readings. This is why the Highway Code includes a 5% tolerance for instrumental error, but Marcon questions whether this margin is sufficient given the lack of consistent verification.
For Marcon, the solution is clear: “All prefects in Italy should block speed cameras, which are illegitimate. Road safety? It is not achieved with speed cameras but with urban safety plans. It is done with patrols on the roads and with controls.” This perspective challenges the common argument that speed cameras are primarily for road safety, suggesting they are sometimes used by municipalities as a revenue-generating tool.
Salvini’s Decree and the Future of Speed Camera Enforcement
The controversy surrounding speed cameras gained further momentum with the decree signed by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini in May 2024, which came into force in June 2025. This decree, long-awaited since 2010, introduced new binding rules, including the requirement for homologation and the prefect’s opinion before installation. While the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Mit) has recently concluded a mapping of devices considered legal, stating that all devices approved from 2017 onwards are compliant, experts like Marcon contest this distinction.
The Broader Implications: Fairness and Public Trust
The Naples suspension not only highlights technical and legal shortcomings but also raises crucial questions about fairness and public trust. When citizens are fined by devices that are not officially certified, it erodes confidence in the justice system and in the authorities responsible for enforcing traffic laws. The financial burden on individuals who receive illegitimate fines, coupled with the potential for fiscal responsibility claims against the state, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue comprehensively.
The decision in Naples may compel other prefects across Italy to re-evaluate the status of their speed cameras. This could lead to a widespread suspension of unapproved devices, forcing municipalities to invest in properly homologated equipment and potentially shifting the focus of road safety strategies towards more direct enforcement and urban planning initiatives, as suggested by experts.
As the debate unfolds, the actions taken in Naples serve as a stark reminder of the importance of legal compliance and transparency in public administration. The outcome of this situation will undoubtedly shape future traffic enforcement policies and the relationship between citizens and the state across Italy.
Source: https://www.quotidiano.net/cronaca/inchieste/autovelox-napoli-controlli-sospesi-cosa-succede-ora-in-tutta-italia-lv4ow4d2
