October 4, 2024 21:11 PM

Venice to Ban Gondolas During Peak Hours After Tourist Death

Want to ride a gondola in Venice? You're going to have to wait until night time. Gondola's may soon be banned from the city's Grand Canal after a tourist died in a gondola crash.

Joachim Vogel, a 50-year-old man from Germany died earlier this month when the vessel he was traveling on collided with a vaporetto water taxi. Vogel and his family were thrown into the water near the Rialto Bridge. Vogel was crushed to death and his three-year-old daughter was treated for head injuries, the Daily Mail reports.

Now Venice is creating proposals for a floating congestion zone, which would prohibit gondolas from operating during peak rush hours.

The gondolier of Vogel's vessel was tested positive for cocaine. Now new regulations on drug and alcohol use is being rushed to pass as well. Plans to introduce breathalyzer tests for gondoliers to determine if they're on drugs or alcohol is being rushed through.

Tourists have enjoyed being serenaded as they float down the canal for centuries, not now the boat rides will only be able to take place at night according to the proposals. In addition, gondoliers will no longer be allowed to use a cell phone while in command of the vessel.

Venice hasn't had many rules for cruise ships, speed boats and water taxis along the Grand Canal until now. However after the August 17th death, Venice authorities are trying to bring the city more in line with dry land cities.

"We have to think of the Grand Canal as a street, a main street like that of all cities, with particularly heavy traffic. We need some discipline," the city's mayor Giorgio Orsoni said according to the Daily Mail.

"These measures will require some sacrifices for citizens," he added.
He noted that gondolas will only be able to operate at certain times of the day after morning rush hour. He also suggested widening the canal by removing certain structures like small docks.

Other large vessels, including taxis, garbage collection boats and freight vessels, will also be limited.

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