Rome, 29 April 2024 – Traffic fines: Italian motorists have made the Municipalities more than one and a half billionlast year. Milan, Rome and Florence they are at the top of the rankings. It is the latest photograph taken by Facile.it, which analyzed the Siope data (operations information system of public bodies). Revenues: 147 million for the Lombardy capital, closely followed by the capital, at 138 million; at a distance, with 71 million, Florence. But it becomes first in Italy among the provincial capitals if we consider the per capita expenditure, 198 euros. Even if the Municipality is keen to point out: “The city doubles its population every day: 250 thousand vehicles enter and analyzing the fines shows that less than 20% are issued to Florentines, the rest to non-residents”. They then affect the accounts of small municipalities. Colle Santa Lucia (Belluno) loses the podium, giving up first position to Carrodano Val di Tara (La Spezia), 464 inhabitants and just under one million, against 345 residents and 747 thousand euros.
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The Giro d’Italia of fines
Fines and accidents, is there a relationship?
But in this tour of Italy of fines, There is a relationship between fines and road accidents? The latest available Istat data – referring to 2022 – demonstrate that the cities of the Centre-North record the highest mortality rates. Let’s consider the large municipalities and the 14 cities that fall under this definition: Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice, Trieste, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bari, Palermo, Messina, Catania. There were more than 43 thousand accidents, which means 26% of the total; and they weigh more than the inhabitants (which are close to 16%). In the list we also find the cities at the top of the ranking for collections from fines. Is it right to conclude that fines do not create safety? The discussion is open.
What are the obligations of mayors
Yet the highway code – awaiting the new version reformed by the Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini – clarifies clearly what the auditors’ obligations are. “50% of the money must be reinvested,” recalls Luigi Altamura, commander of the local police in Verona. Already in the mini-reform introduced at the end of 2021, article 142 made clear the obligation for Municipalities to publish the expense report on their institutional website “within 30 days of transmission to the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Interior” .
Ministry inspections
“Verona – explains Altamura – a couple of months ago it was chosen as a sample city, together with 49 other centers throughout Italy, for an inspection by the MIT. The objective was precisely to verify how the proceeds of the fines had been spent. They asked us for invoices, tenders, spending commitments…”. Result: “At the end, we received the certificate, we were recognized as having invested correctly the money collected from sanctions, according to the provisions of article 208 of the highway code”. It is understood that “all municipalities must report to the Ministry of the Interior by 31 May”. On this deadline to date there have been many shortcomings. While we are unable to improve the statistics of accidents and deaths, which continue to be those of a war. How come? For Commander Altamura the answer is dramatically simple: “There is a lack of controls, we need more uniforms on the roads.”
The little ones
That the fines have been – and continue to be – one fundamental item in the budgets of the Municipalities this is demonstrated by the income from the small ones. Here is the podium for 2023: Carrodano (La Spezia), with 464 inhabitants and 975 thousand euros in revenue; Colle Santa Lucia (Belluno), 345 residents and 747 thousand euros from traffic fines; finally Canda (Rovigo), 823 inhabitants and 426 thousand euros.
Ranking of per capita spending
Among the provincial capital municipalities, Florence is at the top in terms of per capita spending with 198 euros, followed by Rieti (166 euros) and Siena (just under 134 euros).
