Italy - speeding - tutor system
 

Just got back from first trip to Italy. Saw Rome, Florence,and Venice via train and water taxis. Very relaxing and enjoyed that part of the trip.

We also wanted to see some thing in the country side, like San Giovanni Rotondo, so I rented a car and drove there on the Autostrade. I live in Florida, so this very much reminded me of the Fla Turnpike and nice restop/gas stations along the way.

One thing that has had me paranoid for the last few days and I'm not finding very much useful information on is speeding tickets and these tutor systems they use. I kept seeing signs about the Tutor system and signs with the policeman about monitoring your speed.

Being very nervous about being a first time driver, I think I was very cautious. I tried to drive along with the flow of traffic. I really don't think I ever drove above 130km/ 80mph,
but can't say I fully understand how these boxes work, I read something about it tracking your speed over a certain distance, others said, these boxes were in certain places and the locals know about them and slow down there. I can't say I observed a whole bunch of people slowing down near any of these boxes, and all throughout my trip was being passed by people that certainly were speeding by me.

I also can't say I might have caught every time the speed limit might have dropped to 110/km or if there were even boxes in those areas. I know I passed 30 or 40 of these signs atleast.

Should I be worried about this? Nothing to worry about?

Everything I read before going said to go with flow of traffic and stay in right lane so faster traffice could pass.

Thanks.

First, I'm afraid I don't get what the point is. You cannot change anything now. If you've been caught, you'll get a ticket (in a year or so). If not, not. It's too late now to do anything about, so it's too late to worry, as well.
Second, I don't know what you mean by "tutor system". From your description, it would seem you're talking about radar boxes. Well, they are certainly everywhere but near the signs that announce them, that's why nobody slowed down at the signs. You can be pretty sure that most everybody slowed down at the radar boxes, which are easily visible already from a distance. So if you went with the flow, everything should be fine. But you'll really know in summer 2011, and there's no way of finding out earlier.

Just know that you did your best and if you get a ticket your one of thousands and just pay the ticket and forget about it. It's part of traveling.

THE question around here is ALWAYS THE SAME: (since you broke the law, IF you even did) and you got/get a ticket...SHOULD you bother to pay it?

If you used certain rental car agencies THEY will sometime forward it to you with a letter saying they have CHARGED your credit card for the cost and nothing else needs to be done.

And then there are the more usual "I got a ticket for speeding in Italy and should I pay it?" posts. Apparently there are some who feel the need to get reinforcement about what the "right" thing to do is..hopefully you aren't one of them.

There are sections of the autostrada monitored by the Tutor system - cameras that photograph your license plate when you enter the autostrada and then another at the exits. Your average speed is then calculated. If it's over the posted speed limit (normally 130kph), you will get a speeding ticket. These sections of highway are cleary marked - a gigantic sign indicating the beginning and end of the Tutor monitored area.

The autovelox (the boxes with the policeman on top) are radar traps. If you're speeding as you pass one, you'll get a ticket. You're right about the locals knowing where they are and slowing down to pass them and then resuming breakneck speed (I live in Florence). These boxes are also clearly marked (at least they are on the autostrade and the superstrade ... in the towns they are not!). There's also a sign about a kilometer before the box warning you that one is coming up.

From your description of your drive, it doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about ... my concern would have been the Tutor sections, but if you did not exceed 130 I think you can relax. Many of the autovelox boxes are not "loaded" anyway - they use a rotating camera system so you can never be sure, however just the presence of the boxes has the desired effect.