
In a year marked by significant enforcement efforts, the Italian Polizia Stradale (Highway Police) has reported a detailed overview of its operations and achievements for 2024, with a focus on improving road safety and addressing violations.
Throughout 2024, the Polizia Stradale deployed 420,563 patrols, marking a 1% increase compared to the previous year. These patrols monitored 1,973,173 individuals, an increase of approximately 100,000 people over 2023, and issued 1,688,862 traffic violations, which is 0.7% more than the previous year.
Violations
Excessive speed remained one of the most common infractions, with 465,021 speed violations recorded. The police also confiscated 38,283 driving licenses, an increase from 35,992 in 2023, and 45,070 vehicle registration certificates, approximately 1,300 more than the year before. Additionally, 2,856,720 driver license points were deducted.
A particular focus was placed on driving under the influence. 760,337 drivers were tested for alcohol and drugs, a 23% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 13,310 drivers were penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 1,191 drivers were reported for driving under the influence of drugs. The police also seized 846 vehicles.
On Italy’s 176 highway stretches, covering 1,670 km, the “Tutor” speed monitoring system continued to play a key role. Between January 1 and December 22, the system detected 315,909 speed violations for exceeding speed limits.
Commercial
In the commercial transport sector, the Polizia Stradale continued its vigilant checks. A total of 10,209 officers from both the police and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport inspected 19,108 heavy vehicles, issuing 14,699 violations and confiscating 243 licenses and 448 registration certificates.
Activity
A key legislative update occurred on December 14, 2024, with the enactment of Law No. 177, which introduced multiple amendments to Italy’s road code and other related laws. The new law, which was part of a broader effort to enhance road safety, included measures related to infrastructure, signage, vehicle standards, and driver behavior. A notable change introduced was the “alcolock”, a device that prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver is under the influence of alcohol. While the blood alcohol limits for driving under the influence remained unchanged, the law emphasizes the enforcement of safer driving habits to reduce risks.
The preliminary data indicate a downward trend in traffic accidents and fatalities. These figures suggest that the combined efforts in road safety, legislative changes, and active enforcement are beginning to have a positive impact on Italy’s roads.