The Venice Transport Commission has approved the installation of traffic enforcement cameras along the city's waterways, The Telegraph reports, with the aim of identifying gondolas that are speeding or violating water traffic laws.
The regulations allow the use of "barcaveloxes" (high-speed cameras capable of filming underwater) to monitor the speed of canoes and gondolas, according to Venice Insider Guide - a specialized travel guide to Venice.
A gondola under a bridge in Venice. Photo: Business Insider.
"Venice's traffic is mainly canals, so boat traffic must be controlled more effectively," lawmaker Martina Semenzato told Italian media.
Several other Italian lawmakers also voiced support for the decision, adding that during the peak tourist season, Venice's canals are prone to being "crammed" with ferries, motorboats, ships, barges and gondolas, causing traffic jams.
Boats in the canal city are allowed to travel at speeds of up to 6 km/h in the main canals, and closer to 5 km/h in the smaller ones. However, the city has recorded a series of fatal incidents in recent years despite the speed limits, raising concerns about the safety of tourists and locals, according to The Telegraph.
Furthermore, the city's regulations on imposing fines still have many loopholes, leading to a backlog of unresolved administrative disputes and escalating numbers of unpaid fees.
Ms Semenzato added that speed limits and new technology cameras would help protect Venice's ancient lagoon ecosystem and architecture, which is under threat from wave movement.
Local experts have previously warned that the waves could erode walls near the canals and damage local buildings that have stood for centuries.
The city's waterways have been the site of several dangerous incidents over the past decade or so.
In 2013, a man was seriously injured when a gondola collided with a bus on the Grand Canal (Venice's main canal).
In 2019, three men died in a speeding accident in a canal in the city.
That same year, large cruise ships were banned from entering the Giudecca Canal after five tourists were injured in a collision.
Most recently, in 2022, a Belgian tourist stole a water taxi and drove it at high speed on the Grand Canal. He was stopped by police shortly afterwards.
