Fines and Italians are a well-matched couple. We are in fact one of the peoples who most challenge the law, often even losing. At least once in our life we have had a report delivered by a delightful traffic policeman, complete with internal blasphemy. But there are times when the law exaggerates, it becomes too much fiscal, causing us to lose faith in humanity. On the other hand, Commissioner Gordon in Return of the Dark Knight said it clearly: "laws and institutions can turn into real chains that condemn you and not a criminal". But what were the most absurd fines taken by us Italians?
Peck with your hands in the ... jam
Just in these days the news of the fine for excess snack taken by some mothers in the Bergamo area has come out. The facts are these: in September 2016 in Lallio (Bergamo) a local parents' association had organized an event complete with a kiosk to feed the children. To manage this kiosk there was only one person who, given the presence of over 200 children, began to have some problems. Never mind, mothers come to the rescue and start preparing hundreds of toast with jam. A municipal official notices this and, moved by principles unknown to us, makes a report. For him, in fact, mothers could not give food to the public. The fine of 1032 euros is triggered, and many greetings to good intentions. Then one wonders why he gets grouchy.
But if I'm drunk can I ride a horse?
Well the answer is no! At least according to the Nuoro police who, back in 2012, fined an unsuspecting driver for being inebriated. Too bad he wasn't driving a Panda Multijet, but a… horse. On board his steed, the knight stoned with limoncello had an alcohol content 6 times higher than the norm. Here then the fine is triggered with a lot of seizure of the vehicle. Don't worry though, the horse is still alive.
And give me time!
In the Bolognese area, a teacher was taking her pupils on a trip. At the bus stop he organizes the boarding of the many children and, once on board, he arranges them one by one. On the other hand, you can't mess with the safety of the little ones, so it's better not to leave anything to chance. With the last student seated, the woman is seen waving a fine fine by the conductor. In fact, according to the official, the teacher had taken too long between entering and stamping the ticket. A fine of 65 euros, to be deducted from the school trip budget.
Life-saving fines
In Milan, an ecological worker was doing her job regularly. Suddenly a man with a scooter is hit by a hit-and-run. The woman parks the van and rushes to help the unfortunate 55-year-old. She realizes her condition, mentions a heart massage and calls the ambulance. Meanwhile, a traffic cop notices the van parked along the road. In her haste, the woman did not realize that she had left him in no parking conditions. The fine is triggered, while the operator is intent on assisting the man who has just been hit. One of the most absurd fines, but who knows how things would have turned out if the woman had started looking for regular parking.
Incitement to theft of one's car
The car is one of the most stolen goods in Italy. In fact, car theft is a very common crime from north to south, east and west. And each of us spends the first 6 months of buying a car with as much anxiety as a student being tested. Then there are those who want to have their car stolen. In what part of Italy? In Montecatini (Pistoia) where a gentleman was given a 39 euro fine by the policeman. The reason? He had left his Mercedes parked with the window open. A clear incitement as well as aiding and abetting theft. You may say absurd, but it's all (sadly) true. Stuff to wonder who the bad guys really are in this crazy world.
When the limits of human decency are exceeded
In 2010, a fine of 11.250 euros was imposed in a supermarket in Cremona. But what criminal genius could have caught such a fine? A 79-year-old with Alzheimer's. For what reason? Theft of a sausage worth € 1,76, complete with aggravating dexterity. The elderly gentleman, while shopping, had forgotten to send the disputed property to the cashier. One thing that can happen to anyone, especially those with health problems. But according to the law, that gesture was to be punished a priori. What then, if one decides to steal it is certainly not limited to a sausage of less than 2 euros. A little damn humanity!
