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Driving by car in Italy: (Some useful tips)

There are definitely more assertive and "quick-to-act" driving
Driving in Italy can initially be disheartening , particularly
if you're unaccustomed with the driving habits in this country.

Accessibility of a car is often a matter of necessity if you want
to have the opportunity to visit the desired places.

In short I will argue that by driving around in a car you will add a considerably enrichment to your trip!

However, this require you to take some precautions before you start to drive...


Driver aggression:


There are definitely more assertive and "quick-to-act" driving
in Italy than in the US.

When you hit the road in Italy, it is often frustrating when
other drivers "cuts you off" or fails to use their turn-signal.
However, because the pace of driving is more fast in Italy,
you've got to act more quickly. Usually an opening between cars
is only momentary, and if you takes the time to signal you'll
have lost your chance. :-)

You cannot hesitate! Avoid being reckless -- use your signals,
even if others ignore it -- but act quickly!

In precarious situations, use your horn! It's easy to become too
cautious in a new environment, but hesitation surely will
give you more problems than anything else.

If you choose to drive slowly, however, be polite. When a car
behind you flashes the lights, he is asking you to pull over and
let him pass. Being stubborn about your place on
the road is considered incredibly rude, and if flashing is
failing it will be followed by cursing, honking, and very
conspicuous gesticulation !


Car Rental:

Why drive around in a rented car?
If you prefer a multi location holiday having the disposal of a
car will give you far more flexibility. If your lodging is
distanced from your arrival airport it may be more convenient to
have the car for the transfer. If you are staying in a more
provincial location it may be useful to have your own transport.

Make sure that you have full insurance cover. Many car-rental
companies so - called inclusive cover can often leave you with an
difference of several hundred euros in case of an accident. You
can purchase an annual insurance cover which can take care of
this, check it out before your travel. Another solution is to pay
an additional amount per day, just check that this amount is
reasonable. Also check if there is an extra charge for additional
drivers.

Another good tip is to rent a car with a GPS installed in it.
This way you will find your way directly from place to place as
you're exploring the pre-assigned treasures (but you won't find
all those places you'd discovered if you got lost ... :-) )


Highways / Autostradas:

The famous highway, Autostrada del Sole (A1), which sweeps
trough all Italy through Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and
Naples let you go from up north to the southern part of Italy very fast.

When entering the Autostrada you pull a ticket from an automat
and when you leave you pay for the distance you have been
driving. It's quite cheap - just bear in mind that the ticket
collector usually don't applaud if you give him a big note! Try
to collect a certain amount of coins just for this purpose... :-)

A better alternative is the Viacard. This is a pre-loaded card
which can be bought at the toll booths. If you plan using the
Autostrada often the Viacard can prevent you from being stuck in
the long exit queues often found at the manual operated "coin-
booth".


In case of engine failure:

In case engine failure, call 116 to get in contact with
ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia) - they can give you assistance.


Highway police / Polizia stradale:

The traffic police (polizia stradale) can give you a fine if you make any traffic offence.  The police has lately started to react hard upon speed driving (the 'national sport' of the natives). Don't flash your headlights, this can also cause a fine.

If you get mixed up in a car accident, call 112 to get the Carabinieri for assistance.


Traffic restricted areas:

The Italian cities often have traffic restricted areas or ZTL / zona traffico limitato. These are usually easily to see as they are marked by signposts bordering the actual area.


How to find a parking:

The best advice is to find a parking outside the big cities and travel in by train or bus.

If parking over night near the city-center, be aware not to exceed the time limit!  Your car could easily be removed by the guards!
In this case you better have someone at your hotel make the call to find out where your car is kept.
They will find out how and when to get your car back.

Don't try to find a "free" parking spot inside the cities!
Attempting to find one is more like a Russian roulette... most
parking areas are reserved for locals and the polizia are
quick to deal out tickets.

"Blue Zone" or "Zona Disco":
Parking here is for restricted time periods.
"Blue Zone" discs may be acquired at gas stations,
motor club offices and tourist offices.

Remember to display the parking disc when parked in these zones.
(Ask the people at the car rental office how to use it!)
Restricted time zones are from  9am  to  2.30pm  and  4pm  to  8pm
Mon-Sat (except holidays).

During these periods maximum parking time is one hour.

Other cities have "Green Zones" or "Zona Verde".  Within these zones parking is prohibited from  8am  to  9.30am  and from  2.30pm  to  4pm on weekdays.

Special regulations regarding Florence:
From 7.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays all vehicles are banned from
the city-center
(the area between the avenues paralleling the River Arno)
there is a traffic limitation or ZTL (zona traffico limitato).

Only inhabitants with special permission are allowed to drive there during this period.

Visitors can enter the center in their vehicle during these times to load / unload and then have to move on to park outside the center.

If you want to drive into the center you should do this before
11.00 AM and head for the Central Railway station. There is a big parking located under street level, it's not easy to find in the heavy traffic but it can be done... (I have :-) ).

Other places you can park are: Porta Romana, Cascine (Piazza Vittori Veneto), Fortezza da Basso (Viale Filippo Strozzi) and Piazza Libertà.

Special regulations regarding Rome:
Don't even think about driving into the city center to find a
parking spot !

A sign reading "Zona tutelato" denotes that parking is prohibited
from 7.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays. Violating this ordinance may
include a prison sentence!

Special tips regarding Venice:
Parking is very hard to find.  Instead, park at one of the car
parks found on the mainland.

From there you can catch a bus or ferry to the city.  However, be
aware that the parking at Mestre is often frequented by thieves!
Tip for the Tronchetto garage: park on the left side, not on the
right. Both these mainland facilities are linked to the island by
bus services and ferries.

Special tips regarding Naples:
Naples is one of Europe's most notorious nest of thieves.
Driving in Naples is very difficulty.  Instead, park you car in
Sorrento and travel by the catamaran or aliscafi. This trip takes
less than half an hour.


Some useful signposts (and what they mean):

Curva pericolosa Dangerous road bend.
Deviazione Detour / Diversion.
Divieto di sorpasso Passing / Overtaking prohibited.
Lavori in corso Road work.
Pericolo Danger.
Curva pericolosa Dangerous road bend.
Rallentare Slow down.
Curva pericolosa Dangerous road bend.
Senso vietato / unico Entrance prohibited / One-way traffic.
Vietato l'ingresso Entrance prohibited.
Zona pedonale Pedestrian area.
ZTL Traffic restricted area.




Some Italian traffic regulations:


The minimum age of a driver is 18 years.
Children 4 - 12 years of age have to use a special safety equipment.
The use of seat belts is mandatory also for rear-seat passengers.

Speed limits are as follows:
50 km/h (31.25 mph) in built-up areas.
90 km/h (56.25 mph) on main roads and local roads outside built-
up areas.

110 km/h (68.75 mph) on main roads outside built-up areas.
130 km/h (81.25 mph) on expressways (autostrade).
On the autostrada, cars with engines up to 1090 cc and
motorcycles with engines up to 150 cc are limited to 110 km/h
(68.75 mph).

Cars hauling a trailer or caravan, and caravans over 12 tons, are
limited to 70 km/h (44 mph) outside built-up areas and to 80 km/h
(50 mph) on expressways.

Caravans between 3.5 and 12 tons are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph)
outside built-up areas, and to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) on
expressways.

Low-beam lights must be switched on for all vehicles when driving.
Don't use fog-lights except under conditions of poor visibility.
Blowing the horn is prohibited in built-up areas except in cases
of immediate and extreme danger.

On three-lane roads the middle lane is for passing only.
Passing on the right is permitted if the driver ahead has
signaled a left turn and has moved to the center of the road or
when multiple lanes are traveling in your direction.
However, don't be surprised if you come across Italians paying
little or no respect to lane definition. Well... they drive all
over the road(s).


Some final tips


Please check that you are insured to drive outside your own
country. Not all insurances give you permission to drive in
outside your native country . If the answer to this is no you are
truly putting yourself at a big economical risk but also you
could be locked up because breaking the law!

Don't trust in your telephone! Make a note of all the important
telephone numbers you may need during your trip.
Also make a note of Italys emergency numbers mentioned above.
Make a note of the telephone number of your embassy in Italy.
Hopefully you will never need it but if you do, it is very handy
to know where to find it.


========================
A special warning for all americans: 
========================

If you do a "RIGHT TURN ON RED" in Italy you will soon be
accompanied by the police and given a ticket !



Finally I want to wish you all a pleasant trip to Italy!
With all the suggested precautions and things to remember it may
seem very dangerous but don't let this make you hesitate!

Do your planning! It will always boost your holiday to a level
above the one you will achieve if you just improvise everything.
Only then you will be able to find and enjoy all the real hidden
treasures of Italy.

A journey through Italy will guaranteed create memories you will
carry along for many many years!

 

  
  Ketil Sjavik
  Asbjorn Klostersvei 2
  1472 Fjellhamar
  Norway
 

 

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