9/19/2010
France, Italy: Cameras Burned, ProtestedFrench vigilantes burn camera as Italian drivers protest photo radar that tickets for less than 1 MPH over the limit.
Vigilantes in the town of Dardilly, France set fire to a speed camera on Wednesday. The automated ticketing machine on the RN6 had previously been attacked in July 2007, Lyon Mag reported.
The frustration of motorists found a less violent outlet in Vergiate, a municipality in northern Italy. Vehicle owners have begun to protest after receiving 45 euro (US $58) tickets for driving as little as 61 km/h (38 MPH) in a 60 zone -- just 1 km/h or sixth-tenths of a mile-per-hour over the limit. The camera in question is positioned just a few yards away from a sign that lowers the limit on the road from 90 km/h (56 MPH) to 60, Varese Notizie reported.