The thick foliage of the historic trees that populate Viale Regina Elena covers the streetlights, so in some sections visibility is poor, both for motorists and pedestrians. The latter, especially where the old, damaged sidewalk is still there, use their cell phone flashlights to light their way. This is a situation that has been going on for many years now.
"Some stretches are just impassable," says Gianluca Cannas, one of the hundreds of people who park their cars on Viale Regina Elena. "Even if you go slowly, you risk not seeing the people crossing. As a pedestrian, the danger is represented by the uneven asphalt of the sidewalk that risks causing bad falls. If there weren't cell phone flashlights, you just couldn't get through here."
Isabella Atzeni, who also frequents the very central area of the capital, agrees with him: "Yes, cell phones save us, but how do the elderly who perhaps don't know how to use a flashlight do it?", she asks, also underlining the danger that a poorly lit street represents, especially for women: "It's a safety problem, you risk running into some bad guy. I often have to go through it in the evening, but when I can I avoid doing it on foot, preferring to take the bus and go down to the Bastion or look for parking elsewhere". Marta Scano echoes her: "I hope that intervention is made to secure the sections of Viale Regina Elena that are less lit due to the treetops. It's not right that we women should be afraid, but on the other hand this is the feeling you get".