Speed cameras, the census is coming. And many devices risk being illegal.

ROME – Among the many new features of the law converting the Infrastructure Decree, which came into force on July 20, is the introduction of a census of all speed detection devices in Italy. This measure could overturn the current speed camera mapping and threaten the decommissioning of many of the existing devices.

The census will not only allow drivers to transparently and in real time view the number, location, and characteristics of speed cameras by simply connecting to an online database published by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. More importantly, considering the mapping of devices as a "necessary condition for the legitimate use of the equipment," it will clarify which speed cameras are actually authorized to issue speeding tickets.

The law requires all 7,896 Italian municipalities to collect and transmit information on the "type, make, and approved or certified model" of each device (fixed, mobile, or speed camera) installed in their territory. This activity will be completed within 60 days of the law's adoption, after which the collected data will be sent to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which will process it and make it publicly accessible via a dedicated online platform. Essentially, by September 15th, all speed detection devices in Italy must be mapped by the municipalities, and those not registered must be deemed illegitimate and unusable. Consequently, any fines issued using these devices will be void.

So does this mean the countdown can begin? Not exactly, given that the new law requires that "the IT model to be used for data transmission" be established by a ministerial implementing decree, to be adopted within 30 days of the law's entry into force. Therefore, the census cannot begin without a further government decree, which must arrive no later than August 18th. And if the implementing decree doesn't arrive in time, would the unregistered speed cameras still be usable? According to the newly enacted law, no, given that communicating the device data to the Ministry's database is considered "a necessary condition for the legitimate use of the equipment."

We'll see what happens.