I was respecting the speed limit.
'Rispettando' = rees-pet-TAN-doh — imperfect progressive using 'stare + gerundio'.
Use when making your statement to police to establish that you were not exceeding the speed limit. This is a key factor in determining fault.
The imperfect progressive 'stavo + gerundio' describes an ongoing action at the moment of the accident — exactly what is needed for an accident statement. Italian law allows speed data from event data recorders (scatola nera) as evidence.
Stavo guidando a novanta chilometri all'ora.
I was driving at ninety kilometres per hour.
Give the specific speed — more credible than a generic claim.
Ho frenato appena ho visto il segnale.
I braked as soon as I saw the sign.
Establishes a reactive response — reduces liability.
Il mio GPS registrava la velocità in tempo reale.
My GPS was recording speed in real time.
GPS logs can serve as evidence — mention if available.
Italian speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on extra-urban roads, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 130 km/h on motorways. Rain automatically reduces motorway limits to 110 km/h. Exceeding limits is the primary cause of fault determination.