One’Prima Assicurazioni investigation commissioned to Nielsen points outto the point of view of the Italians regarding a recent tightening foreseen by the Highway Code. In fact, since January the sanctions against those who throw cigarettes or paper out of the window have been tightened. According to 53% of Italians, the new sanctions are not enough.
New Highway Code: fines against those who throw objects out of the window are not enough
The New Highway Code has exacerbated from a maximum of 52 euros to a maximum of 204 euros (with the possibility of reaching up to 866 euros in the event of recognition of aggravating circumstances) for who throws rubbish, simple objects or dirt, such as cigarettes or litter from the window.
According to the Prima Assicurazioni survey, this solution is not enough. The majority of users consider this behavior “dangerous and rude”. A lower part, about 10%, agreed with the fines but considered the penalties too high and severe.
For 4% there was no need to change while for 3.5% it is excessive to resort to fines for this type of behavior. Here is how the Italian users responded to the question linked to the tightening of penalties for those who throw objects out of the window with the New Highway Code:
| Yes, I agree with the tightening and the new and tougher sanctions are still not enough | 53,0% |
| Yes, I agree with the tightening and the new and tougher sanctions are fair and proportionate | 26,0% |
| Yes, I agree with the tightening, but I find the new sanctions disproportionate and too punitive | 10,5% |
| No, I disagree with the tightening and the previous penalties were fair and proportionate | 4,0% |
| No, I do not agree with the strictness and I believe that resorting to fines is excessive for these behaviors: it would be enough to teach good manners | 3,5% |
| I can’t answer / I don’t have an opinion | 3,0% |
The comment of Prima Assicurazioni
Anna Sanfilippo, Chief Marketing Officer of Prima Assicurazioni, comments: “Italians are extremely sensitive to this issue and absolutely do not want dangerous behavior to be underestimated or derided as a simple act of rudeness. Furthermore, there is a growing attention of people towards the environment and the decoration of urban spaces, so that we are increasingly moving towards redevelopment and smart city contexts “.