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!
|