The biggest chance of getting a fine in Italy is because of the Zona a Traffico Limitato (limited traffic area). If your destination is going to take you through or close to an old town or city centre, then it’s likely that there will be ZTL. But what does it mean in practical terms?
THE ZTL CAN BE TRICKY, SO TAKE NOTES 🙂
The ZTL sign is a circle with a blank white centre and red outline. Normally it comes together with a traffic light and/or a LED display. A ZTL can be made for averyone, for non-residents only or active according to specific timetables. It can be that traffic rules and detailed info are written in italian only. So, how to be sure you can drive through or not? Don’t panic 😉
- IF A TRAFFIC LIGHT IS AVAILABLE: RED MEANS “NO ENTER”. GREEN? GO (this was easy).
- IF YOU FIND THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE CLOSE TO THE SIGN ” eccetto residenti”, IT MEANS YOU CAN NOT ACCESS UNLESS YOU ARE A RESIDENT, SO STAY AWAY.
BEST TO KNOW
Don’t rely on your GPS to point out a ZTL because thet are not set up for that!
Always look for the ZTL sign, a special traffic light or a LED display to be sure you’re not crossing a ZTL area.
Otherwise, ask locals 😉 Sicilian people are always happy to help…but be prepared to a lot of hand gesture 😉 No matter what language is spoken here, italian hand gesture will explain everything
ADDITIONAL TIP 😉
IF A LED DISPLAY SHOWS THIS
VARCO ATTIVO/VARCO CHIUSO means the cameras are activated and you cannot pass through the ZTL.
VARCO NON ATTIVO/VARCO APERTO means you can pass through.
ZTL IN ORTIGIA
Yes, Ortigia island is a ZTL area. Only residents are free to drive in and out with no restrictions and park along the streets.
But the ZTL is not active 24h!
Timetables change depending on the time of the year and can be checked on the Siracusa municipality website.
Normally the floowing times apply:
DURING THE WEEK: active (no enter) from 7pm to 2 at night.
ON SATURDAY: active from 4pm to 7am on the following day.
ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: active from 11 am to 7 am on the floowing day.
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