OK..I know this has been discussed at length in a few forums..but I thought a new one wouldn't hurt, so maybe we can cut to the chase. I was in Florence in Oct/Nov 07 and now in April 08 receive a violation for stumbling into a "non authorized" zone. I suppose its a fact cuz I know we got lost on the way to return the rental to Avis (not hard to do) and circled thru some areas in florence until finally getting to avis. The problem is a few days later I receive 2 more violations. So now at 92 euro ea its like 270 euro or $450USD. I've seen where its been suggested to write to this place or that..but who has time for that nonsense? If it was just the one I'd pay the $150 or so and be done with it. But now this is a little different. I've gotten up at 5AM to call to no avail..written a few emails to no avail (even tho I get a read receipt). So it's about time to either pay or it will go past their "time period". What's the real suggestion here? If it eventually shows on my AMEX I think I'd dispute it and ride it out. I'm pretty sure the fines will escalate however, so I'm not sure what the way to go is. Pay the $450 and chalk it up or what? In any event, Italy will never get another dime of my hard earned dough.(Offensive comment deleted.) What a way to treat a tourist.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Doru,
After looking at that thread, it's just easier to go online and let them rob me of $400 than to go thru all these frustrating communications of notifying this person or that to try to help. Bottom line is that the whole process is unfair and the best thing is to not rent a car in or near Florence. I for one will never step foot there again after this experience
I am so sorry that you have had this problem. Have you tried talking to the Avis office in Florence to see if they can intervene?
On one of our first trips to Rome years ago, my husband and I got lost for two and a half hours inside Rome and thank goodness, they did not have the zones as they do now. We probably would have gotten a dozen or more tickets.
For me, I would take the time to work through this issue, no matter how long it takes or frustrating, because I think that amount of money is worth the fight. BUT, I do think I would start with the Avis office. Did you rent the car directly through Avis? If not, perhaps, the rental agency could help. Please do not give up on this.
Sharon J
Posts: 661 | Location: Houston, TX USA | Registered: 01 November 2003
Originally posted by fldude: OK..I know this has been discussed at length in a few forums..but I thought a new one wouldn't hurt, so maybe we can cut to the chase. I was in Florence in Oct/Nov 07 and now in April 08 receive a violation for stumbling into a "non authorized" zone. I suppose its a fact cuz I know we got lost on the way to return the rental to Avis (not hard to do) and circled thru some areas in florence until finally getting to avis. The problem is a few days later I receive 2 more violations. So now at 92 euro ea its like 270 euro or $450USD. I've seen where its been suggested to write to this place or that..but who has time for that nonsense? If it was just the one I'd pay the $150 or so and be done with it. But now this is a little different. I've gotten up at 5AM to call to no avail..written a few emails to no avail (even tho I get a read receipt). So it's about time to either pay or it will go past their "time period". What's the real suggestion here? If it eventually shows on my AMEX I think I'd dispute it and ride it out. I'm pretty sure the fines will escalate however, so I'm not sure what the way to go is. Pay the $450 and chalk it up or what? In any event, Italy will never get another dime of my hard earned dough.(Offensive comment deleted.) What a way to treat a tourist.
Is AVIS authorised to make the deduction? If not I would igore it. Over the past year all comune have begun to take a serious and disturbing interest in fining and collecting traffic fines from residents and visitors. The road to Forli airport is haunted (literally) by mobile camera squads around Sarcena. If you are a law abiding citizen you feel a moral obligation to pay. In my opinion, it is just a cyniccal exploitative exercise dressed up as road safety. The root of the problem is Berlusconi (pace) 2000's reduction in taxes with a reduction in local authority spending. The country is suffocated by so much bureaucracy that it doesn';t have the revenue to keep everyone comfortably employed without targeting road users. Every one in three (actually it is slightly less than three) people you meet in Italy is employed in the public service. Many jobs allow people to retire after 20, and 25 years. This is one reason why speeding fines have become crucial to local services.
Posts: 112 | Location: Tuscany | Registered: 08 April 2008
When I've been to the US and I've been fined, I've paid and said to myself "open your eyes next time". On what peculiar ground does anyone think they can drive into no-drive zones where anybody else wouldn't and get away with "I'm American. My grandpa fought in Anzio, you natives!"? And how do you get from here to comments deleted by the moderator?
Don't you all come here looking for "real Italy"? Well, real Italy is a place where you get fined for violating traffic rules.
In the interests of keeping this forum as a place of helpful information, we're again pointing readers dealing with ZTL fines to this post on ZTL fines and closing this thread to further commentary.
Topic Closed
