Driving in Italy!

[Harryz]

Hi peeps, I'm going on holiday to Italy in the next couple of weeks and I'm still planning out the trip. I was wondering what the driving conditions are like across Italy, especially between Venice and Milan. I'm considering hiring out a car for a week instead of travelling by coach/buses, since its saves me time. I've been told quite a few Italians drive dangerously such as tailgating you at 80mph on a motorway/highway.

Any advice on hiring cars and driving conditions compared to the UK? Any help is appreciated.

 

[lePobz]

Drive a mini cooper, old style ... with a union jack on the roof :thumbs:

 

[Dalamari]

I heard their speed limits are 10-20mph/kph higher

 

[Llama]

Drivers in Italy are insane. Nuff said

 

[Parlez]

I heard their speed limits are 10-20mph/kph higher

D:

 

[RoyaleWithCheese]

I've driven in Italy quite a few times. There is absolutely no problem with the major roads and highways. People tend to drive fast but if you stay on the correct side of the road (right that is) and let them pass, there should not be any problem. Enjoy your stay, it's a beautiful country. I was planning to go there this year again, but then we saw these 2 amazing destinations in the Côte d'Azur...

 

[Bob_Marley]

Remember, in this country they drive on the wrong side of the road!

 

[Absinthe]

Drivers in Italy are insane. Nuff said

QFT

 

[BabyHeadCrab]

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/flash/

This is all I could think of for this post, I love this movie =P

 

[Raxxman]

there's a saying in Italy,

When you see a red light, it's just a suggestion...

Take care, and be aggressive at junctions cause they wont give you time of day.

 

[Ravioli]

when i moved to italy 2 years ago, i thought it was going to be crazy drivers everywhere. But im happy to tell you its just a myth, they drive very well and friendly...in my area atlest (the area that you pointed out )

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/flash/

This is all I could think of for this post, I love this movie =P

When I saw the thread title I thought it was going to be about this flash movie.

 

[Potemkin]

when i moved to italy 2 years ago, i thought it was going to be crazy drivers everywhere. But im happy to tell you its just a myth, they drive very well and friendly...in my area atlest (the area that you pointed out )

Yeah, it may be a myth in your area, but in places like Rome, they're more aggressive than I could ever imagine. Seriously, they drive like shit. I have never seen such angry and reckless drivers in my life. It's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When they're out of their cars or off their scooters, they're just like normal human beings, but when they venture out into traffic, it's like flicking a switch..

 

[Harryz]

there's a saying in Italy,

When you see a red light, it's just a suggestion...

Thanks for your help guys, I'll be hiring a car then. Any other suggestions/tips while I'm down there?

 

[Potemkin]

Thanks for your help guys, I'll be hiring a car then. Any other suggestions/tips while I'm down there?

One thing is that you shouldn't expect to be able to get around with English. Even in the large, "international" cities, people seem to have a very poor understanding of English, if any. I was surprised to find that even at the Termini station in Rome (a place where people from all around the world come by train or bus from the airports), English was not spoken to any significant extent, and when it was, it was limited to some random phrases or words. Improvised sign language and a limited knowledge of some common Italian words goes a very long way though.

Also, regarding driving, it's most likely a very, very good idea to think on your feet and to be almost nervously aware of your surroundings (don't be scared, though, because that won't accomplish anything ). Things happen fast in traffic, and you should never make any assumptions about what the drivers are going to do based on how they act. Those two things seem to be completely separated in Italy.

If there's any area in particular that you want to know more about I may just be able to come up with answers or suggestions.

 

[Azner]

Is finding motarezzi and ramming him down ok to say in this threaD? If not i have no point here...

 

[Harryz]

If there's any area in particular that you want to know more about I may just be able to come up with answers or suggestions.

Do you have any advice around the Northwest area, places such as Lago Di Como and Lago Maggiore, Milan and Venice?

I've learnt a few basic Italian phrases, so hopefully, I won't be totally lost.

 

[Darkknighttt]

oh ya, and the ppl on the scooters go in between lanes, just a heads up.

 

[Dalamari]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ucVcMaoVAq4&search=clarkson italy

Jeremy Clarkson driving around Italy (there's 5 parts)