For better or worse, Venice’s gondolas are about to join the 20th century.
Spurred by the death of a German tourist whose gondola was hit by a water bus, the city council is working out a 26-point safety plan that includes outfitting the boats with GPS systems, license plates and reflective strips, reports Corriere della Sera.
Venice’s transport councilor Ugo Bergamo said he is sure the rules will be in place by November.
"We had no alternative, we can no longer pretend that the problem does not exist," he said.
The council plans to cut the number of gondolas by half, and ban them altogether until 10:30 a.m., when the morning rush is over.
