In Grosseto, Italy, a Tyrolean (29) was desperate for a pension over the summer and drove his car into a “forbidden” zone several times. A hefty fine followed. Beware of tourist trap!
Beautiful beaches, excellent cuisine, culture and a pleasant climate: it is not surprising that Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Austrians. Tobias H. is also attracted to the boot state year after year – also this summer. But the trip to Tuscany proved very expensive for the 29-year-old from Innsbruck.
Well-known trap for many holidaymakers in “Bella Italia”
In the historic center of Grosseto, the father of two fell into a trap that tears a hole in the holiday budget of thousands of tourists in “Bella Italia” every year. “Six months after our trip, I received mail, which I would have liked to have missed,” says the Tyrolean, annoyed. When the family searched the internet for the pension they had rented and walked around in the car several times, the car was flashed four times within minutes. The 29-year-old repeatedly drove into a “zona traffico limitato” (restricted traffic zone), which residents and holidaymakers are only allowed to enter with a special permit.
“I simply overlooked the very hidden panel showing the zone and blindly relied on the in-car navigation system,” says the Italy enthusiast. The accident now cost Tobias H. the hefty fine of four times 140 euros – that is no less than 560 euros.
“Each entry may be penalized individually”
ÖAMTC lawyer Verena Pronebner advises Innsbrucker to pay the fine quickly. “It only becomes more expensive and more uncomfortable if you just wait, provided the facts are correct and you were actually at the indicated place at the indicated time,” the expert knows from experience. And according to the jurisprudence of the Italian courts, it is also customary for each entry to the “prohibited” zone to be penalized separately and for the same “violation” to be paid four times.
Holidaymakers can only be lucky if the fine flutters in their letterbox too late. “The ticket must be in Austria within 360 days, otherwise the penalty is time-barred,” explains Pronebner of the “Krone”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
