by Mario
03-Feb 2010
Italians drive on the same side of the road as Americans. How you will fare on Italy’s much tamer highways (see part 1) depends mostly on you. Italians are still the best drivers on earth and we are unfortunately among the worst. Even at slower speeds, Italians behind the wheel are always in a hurry to reach their destination so they can enjoy more life, pasta, wine and good company. Americans on vacation are lollygaggers just by the nature of all the beautiful scenery that surrounds them. They often cause accidents in their wake without ever realizing the mounting pileups of conscious (or now unconscious drivers) in their rearview mirror.
Italians are constantly monitoring every angle and gauge expecting others to do the same. If you are the type that normally jumps lanes without looking first, watch out. Don’t even think of hogging the left lane unless you are passing slower traffic. If the car behind you flashes their lights, move to the right. Hogging the passing lane impedes traffic and is punishable by fines.
Wear your seatbelt, it’s the law. Do not hold a cell phone while driving unless you have a hands free device. No texting. Keep your headlights on at all times. Most Italian cars have a headlight dimmer thumbwheel that you can use to lower their intensity in daylight. My advice is to just leave them on day and night. The speed limit on Italy’s highways is 130 kilometers per hour, that’s just a fraction over 80 mph. No one will bother you if you keep it under 140 km (87 mph. Occasionally the speed will be lowered to 110 km (68 mph) or down to 90 km (55 mph) in curvy areas or roadwork patches. You will also see fixed signs for 50 km (30 mph) and these are mostly warnings to reduce speed in case of heavy fog.
If you are uncomfortable at normal highway speeds stay to the right but stay alert. Trucks and campers are confined to right hand lanes. Most goods in Italy move by truck and truckers constantly pass each other at very slow speeds to stay awake. My advice is to always keep an eye on them and pass them quickly. Roads are relatively truck free on Sundays.
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