On this day in auto history – February 6th

Sat 6th Feb 2021

On this day in 2000 no fewer than 14 Italian cities, including Rome, Florence and Milan, first experimented with banning cars on a Sunday.

The scheme had twin aims. To help curb dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and also to promote Italy’s underused public transport system.

Though the ban was repeated on three different occasions later that year, it didn’t gain any lasting traction in the car-loving nation.

Italy’s car-ownership ratio remains one of the highest in the world.