London: A ride on a motorboat in Venice may not be the same again with city authorities mulling to install speed traps along the charming canals in a bid to stop them from churning up waters.

The waves caused by motor boats have battered Venice's foundations and eroded its channels for years and so the city civic body plans to install speed cameras similar to those on motorways and ski pistes to curb the over-exuberant drivers, The Daily Telegraph reported today.

"We want to swap all registration plates on motor boats in the city with ones with a microchip inside. The new number plate will contain instantly accessible details of the owner," Deputy Mayor Michele Vianello was quoted as saying.

Last November, Venice introduced Argos, a system named after the 100-eyed dog of Greek myth, which monitors every boat on the Grand Canal and has also been able to successfully curb congestion.

But, Vianello said: "It's not possible to use Argos in the narrower canals, and this technology is more appropriate. Whatever offences occur can be checked in real time."

According to him, the monitors would be installed in every canal and could eventually be used to limit traffic. "Just the fact of knowing that you are under surveillance at all times should be an excellent deterrent."

Source : PTI