Agostini, the local police commander expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of the canal speed measurement system. “Fewer than twenty fines were issued; the difference was noticeable.”
August 1, 2025
On its first day of operation, the speedboat system demonstrated extremely positive results. Fewer than twenty fines were issued on August 1st thanks to the new speed control system in Venice: a relatively low number, especially compared to the average recorded in the first few weeks of the “unofficial” trial, when approximately 150 violations were recorded per day.
Local police commander Marco Agostini expressed his satisfaction: “It went very, very well,” he commented. “People stopped speeding, and the difference was clearly visible, even to the naked eye. We’ve shown that it can be done, that you can go slowly. And this applies to the entire city, from Fondamente Nove to the Grand Canal to the Giudecca Canal. A tremendous success.”
The speed camera (officially Sisa) works similarly to a highway speed camera. Designed specifically for Venice—in accordance with the 2024 Highway Code reform—it monitors average speed along specific stretches of the waterways. If the speed limit is exceeded, with a tolerance of 2 km/h, it issues a warning, followed by an inspection by the local police, who may issue a ticket.
During preliminary tests in June and July, it emerged that 50% of violations were committed by taxis, followed by freight transport at 30%, and recreational boats at about 15%. Now that the system is actually in operation, it seems that almost everyone has decided to reduce speed. “We have confirmed the goal stated before the launch: not to make money, but to promote safer navigation,” concludes Agostini. “We can say that the goal has been achieved, even if we haven’t yet issued zero fines.”
Source: Venezia Today
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