General legislation and principle of sanctions
The Highway Code (CdS) establishes that the violation of a prohibition rule, if prolonged in the short term, cannot give rise to the challenge of multiple sanctions. By way of example, art. 7 of the Security Council on parking establishes: “In cases of prohibited parking, in which the violation extends beyond twenty-four hours, the pecuniary administrative sanction (commonly defined as a fine) is applicable for each period of twenty-four hours for which the parking continues. violation”.
The art. 198, first paragraph, reiterates this principle, providing that: “Unless otherwise established by law, anyone who, with an action or omission, violates various provisions that provide for administrative pecuniary sanctions or commits multiple violations of the same provision, is subject to the sanction provided for the violation more serious increased up to threefold”.
ZTL and urban pedestrian areas: a specific discipline
However, Commander Iorno highlighted that the ZTL and urban pedestrian areas are subject to a “restrictive application” which is an exception compared to the general principles of the CdS. The specific regulatory reference is art. 198, paragraph 2 of the CdS, which establishes: “Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, within urban pedestrian areas and limited traffic zones, the violator of access bans and other individual obligations and prohibitions or limitations is subject to to the sanctions provided for each individual violation”.
Despite the proposed amendments to amend this provision and bring it back to the general principles, it currently remains in force and fully effective.
Information for road users
Commander Iorno clarified that, once entered the ZTL, the user must exit at the first possible gate, which on the city seafront are via Venezia and via Interna Marina. Otherwise, the system will detect and dispute a second infringement in addition to the first.
This situation does not derive from subjective evaluations, but responds to full compliance with the mandatory rule. It is therefore not a question of common sense, but of the application of the law.
Signage and permits
Iorno also clarified that the signs in use comply with the regulations, having been previously approved by the competent Ministry, which authorized the Municipality to activate the ZTL. The light panel, which indicates whether the zone is active or inactive, must only be placed on the access gates in the direction of cars coming from outside. For those who are already in transit within the ZTL, it is sufficient to know that at the first useful exit gate they will have to take the correct direction.
For greater clarity, the Commander announced that the possibility of installing another light panel in the direction of Piazza Berlinguer will be verified, for the benefit of those already inside the area, subject to the required authorizations.
