The Rules of the Italian Road

The Rules of the Road-“Italian Style” and You Thought There Weren’t Any
(As Observed by an American)

Take this quick quiz to find out how much you really know about road rules.

1. Which action seems more illegal?
a. Riding your moped/scooter on the sidewalk?
b. Running a red light?
c. Turning right on a red light?
d. Tailgating for an extended distance?

2. Which action seems more dangerous?
a. Trying to pass two large trucks my sandwiching yourself between them?
b. Trying to roll a cigarette while driving 150 kph = 90 mph?
c. Trying to bypass traffic on your scooter by driving on the median and racing towards on coming traffic?
d. Riding your scooter with your dog at your feet?

After two months of nervousness and trepidation, I finally decided to take back my independence and DRIVE! I drove myself to school 2 days in a row, I have driven to Rome and back, 600 kilometers or 360 miles (one way), and dabbled with getting around town while Demetrio’s at work. Normally, I am a pretty nervous driver and like to take my time getting from Point A to Point B but I find the lax regulations in conjunction with the horns that always seem to sound behind me, have loosened me up a bit. My average speed on the drive to Rome and back was 116 kph or 69.6 mph, that’s with stops and slow downs for road work, toll booths and the like. We also drive the company car, which handles better than my old car, even if it is a diesel (most cars in Italy are) and sounds like a tractor when not moving.

Driving is its own culture in Italy. Italians have a pretty good system of getting from one place to another as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Here are a few observations of their driving prowess:

1) When you are in hurry and it seems as if there are no parking spaces available, take a deep breath and take a lesson from the Italians. Islands are good parking spaces, so are curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks, handicap spaces, under trees, in grassy patches not located in public parks, strangers’ driveways and right bedside other cars. Just make sure not to leave your back end in the way of others, if you happen to do so, then run to your car as soon as you finish your caffé or pizza, to see if the obnoxious honking you hear in the distance is a subtle hint that you may be blocking someone in.

2) While driving turn your lights on for safety but use them as signals also. They can be used to signal pedestrians not to cross the street too soon after the “WALK” signal appears because you are approaching the intersection at a high rate of speed as you run a red light. Lights can also be used on the motorway to warn the car ahead of you that you are in a “Need for Speed” mode and they need to give into your needs and move out of the way. If they refuse, feel free to keep your high beams on to make them aware that their rearview mirror needs to be flipped up and down once in a while just to make sure it is working properly.

3) May I suggest you use your turn signals or indicators the way many Italians do? If you are approaching another car at a high rate of speed feel free to leave your left turn signal light blinking as this lets other cars know you wish to pass them and they should move to the right. When driving around town never use your signals because they limit your options. If you don’t use your turn signals then you don’t commit yourself to making a turn even if you happen to be in the turning lane, at anytime you could turn or change you mind and proceed forward.

4) Sound your horn liberally; I think it helps with fuel consumption when you do. Honk at pedestrians when they walk too slowly, honk at pedestrians to warn them not to walk into your path, honk at pigeons, honk at tourists, honk to the beat of your favorite song, honk when someone is blocking you in, honk because you are happy and love life!

5) Many cars are quite small in Italy, this helps with parking and wedging your way between all sorts of things. That Ford Excursion, Chevy Tahoe or Jeep Grand Cherokee has no chance of fitting between anything here in Italy. The lanes are often divided with white lines but I really don’t see why. I often see 3 cars plus 4 or five mopeds spread across 2 lanes of traffic. Usually the mopeds race to the head of the line and get the chance to speed off about 3 seconds before the light turns green.

My darling husband keeps telling me I am slandering his country. I explain that I only write what I observe and have experienced. About the quiz at the beginning of this post, I have no idea what the answers are but no one seems to care either way.