As August begins, Italy braces for heavy traffic as millions head to vacation spots.

The first weekend of the month, particularly Saturday, August 3, and Saturday, August 10, are expected to see significant congestion, marked by a "black dot" warning from the police.

Record numbers of vehicles were recorded on the Alto Adriatico highways, with over 200,000 transits in a single day last week.

The week of Ferragosto, traditionally the busiest for travel, will see increased movement starting Wednesday, August 14, with many returning from vacations by the weekend of August 17-18. Authorities are advising travelers to prepare for delays and to follow safety guidelines while on the road.

Additionally, the closure of some train lines may push more travelers to use cars, further complicating the traffic situation.