Foggia, Italy is grappling with a growing concern over road safety, fueled by a significant number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers. A local political movement, Cambia, is calling for stricter enforcement and a zero-tolerance approach to address the issue, citing official data and concerns that the true scale of the problem is far greater than reported.
Nunzio Angiola, a civic councilor and leader of Cambia, emphasizes the need for “systematic and continuous” vehicle checks, rather than sporadic ones. The movement is advocating for the rigorous application of existing penalties, the immediate seizure of vehicles operated in violation of the law and a firm stance against driving without a valid license. “We have been waging a relentless battle for road safety in the city for months,” Angiola stated, referencing previous campaigns focused on speed limits, electric scooter regulation, and infrastructure improvements like pedestrian crossings and street lighting.
The call for action comes as official figures reveal a concerning trend. In January alone, the Foggia local police conducted approximately 400 vehicle checks, identifying 34 vehicles without insurance and 5 drivers operating without a license or with a revoked license. Cambia believes these numbers represent only the tip of the iceberg, suggesting that many more uninsured and unlicensed vehicles are circulating undetected.
The broader picture of road accidents in Foggia is also alarming. In 2025, the city recorded 836 road accidents, including 460 resulting in injuries and 9 fatalities. Perhaps even more troubling is the number of hit-and-run incidents – 31 – which Angiola links to the incentive for uninsured drivers to flee the scene of an accident, exacerbating both the human and legal consequences.
“This is not about ‘oversights’ or ‘lapses in attention’,” Angiola asserts. “Those who drive without insurance or a license knowingly violate the basic social contract and shift the risks onto other citizens, making the roads unsafe, especially for vulnerable individuals – pedestrians, the elderly, children, and cyclists.”
The situation highlights a broader legal and financial risk. According to research from Easton Law Offices, a car accident involving an unlicensed driver in California necessitates reporting the incident to 911 and securing a police report. While the unlicensed driver faces penalties from the state, proving fault remains crucial for the injured party to recover compensation. Sally Morin Law notes that driving without a license in California carries serious consequences, and navigating the aftermath requires legal expertise.
The legal landscape surrounding accidents involving unlicensed or uninsured drivers is complex. Lawsuitlegit.com explains that drivers operating without a license or insurance face potential fines, jail time, and personal liability for damages. Victims of such accidents may pursue uninsured motorist claims or directly sue the unlicensed driver. However, the lack of insurance coverage often complicates the recovery process.
The issue extends beyond individual liability. If an unlicensed driver is operating a vehicle owned by someone else, the vehicle owner’s insurance policy may apply, but this could also lead to increased insurance rates for the owner. This creates a potential incentive for vehicle owners to ensure only licensed drivers operate their vehicles.
Cambia’s demands for stricter enforcement align with a growing recognition of the need to address the problem of unlicensed and uninsured drivers. The movement’s call for a “new and necessary battle of civility” underscores the urgency of protecting road users and ensuring accountability for those who disregard traffic laws. The situation in Foggia serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of lax enforcement and the importance of prioritizing road safety.
The lack of comprehensive data on the number of uninsured vehicles operating in Foggia presents a challenge to accurately assessing the scope of the problem. However, the available statistics, combined with Cambia’s concerns, suggest a significant risk to public safety. Further investigation and increased enforcement efforts are likely needed to address this growing issue and protect the citizens of Foggia.
