Briton imports Road Rage!

[Aretina]

Have I gone native? If I have then,"Thank God"!!

While welcoming a new guest from the UK on Saturday he started to proudly tell me how he had 'dealt' with the traffic on the A1 (the main autostrada) on his way from Pisa to Arezzo.

" F+++ing Iti drivers, drive too fast, want to overtake etc. I showed them!! Gave them a few hand signals (not the ones in the Highway Code),then stayed in the 'fast' lane and slowed down!!!

I couldn't believe he had arrived safely and had not been returned to the UK in a very expensive bodybag via Ryanair.

I then tried to explain that Italy was different etc. etc. I hope he gets through the week.

This is how I try to explain Italian driving - The Italians have a reputation for 'different' driving and yes it is. They are fast, but I think much more skilled than drivers from the UK. They have an annoying habit of driving far too close to the back of your car yet I have not seen an accident here in 5 years. They also need to be in front - let them go. The important thing to remember is to be decisive when driving because Italians will 'read' what you are doing. They also have a different approach to 'courtesy', there is nothing personal but they do not acknowledge if you let them in and likewise do not expect any courtesy in return. In fact they always look completely baffled when we have tried to 'thank' them for giving way etc...

What are others' views? Especially interested in Italian residents' views.

This along with so much else makes be so relieved that I am here full time in Italy and not back in the UK. How can a country have so much anger!

Italy is certainly not perfect, and has bucketsfuls of its own problems but these dont include an epidemic of underage binge drinkers, an adolescent culture that has produced no-go areas even for the police and a 'nanny' culture where people do not take responsibility for their own actions.

[Luce Dell'Amore]

As a non resident but one who has visited southern Italy eight times in the last year, my initial impression of Italian driving was the usual one of disbelief. However this has gradually changed and can now see the merits of the more 'positive' driving style and lack of any serious road rage. I can now truly say I enjoy driving in Italy although it is still full of surprises!

The one caveat is that a lot still drive too fast for the conditions and unfortunatley I have witnessed two accidents in the past year one of which was fatal. So yes some elements of their driving are good but like anywhere speed kills.

[giovanni]

Italy's road fatilities figures are much higher than those of the UK,which has amonsts the lowest fatility rates of any major western country.

Make of that what you will, but i do enjoy the driving experience in Italy more so than in the UK.

[Aretina]

Hi Giovanni

I take your point but it is very hard to have a fatal accident when travelling on UK roads where the average speed (esp. for London) is the same as for a horse and cart! They are so jammed with traffic, have so many speed controls and so many unexplained road/lane closures.

[herealready]

When I arrived in Italy 4 years ago the only thing I did not like was the dirving, it worried me that everyone went so fast and nobody bothers with seatbelts.
I think in time you get used to it and act accordingly,(expect to meet someone on your side of the road going too fast)
When my ex comes over to visit the kids it amuses me when he shouts and swears, but the fact is if you swear at one you have to swear at all of them because they have been taught to drive like this, and while its different to our way its normal to Italians, and nearly having a crash means you have'nt!
Italy has one of the highest "death by road" rates,, in the world,and maybe the government should review the safety aspect of the current drivng practices and make changes but even if they did it would take years to phase in as you cannot re-educate the older generation, who dont know they are doing anything wrong, and the younger generation have learnt from these people.
But I always wonder how they behave if they have to drive in another country, like Uk for example where the white line is used to seperate the traffic, and straying over it is not normal, do the Italians believe in the phrase "when in Rome?"
I wonder!

[Nielo]

I have been here 2 1/2 years and seen the aftermath of about 8 accidents; one fatal.

Over time you do get used to the bumper hogging, overtaking on blind corners etc but the one habit, which always makes me cringe is the child standing in the passenger well or sitting on the passengers lap or even sitting on the drivers lap. The Italians are very protective of their children so I don't understand why they don't worry about launching them like missiles through the windscreen in even a minor shunt.

[alan h]

Funniest thing that happened to my English friend, when she moved over to Italy, was when she stopped when the traffic light went red.

The driver of the car behind her got out and explained, [in no uncertain terms] that in Italy, when the light goes red it means that the next 5 cars are allowed to pass it.


.

[Noble]

I've been married to a driver who likes to be out in front for forty scary years, so here in Italy nothing much has changed. I'm used to competitive driving! But what does worry me is the cavalier Italian attitude to the safety of children as passengers. A country that adores children is prepared to risk their lives by sitting them in the front of cars, or in the back, with no safety measures. A friend collected her 5 year old from school and the child peeled off her coat and cardigan saying she was too hot. An Italian mother admonished my friend for allowing the child to take her coat off and then proceded to put her own small child, into the front seat of her car and drive off...neither of them with safety belts...Ahhh this is Italy!

[Nardini]

Originally Posted by alan h

...in Italy, when the light goes red it means that the next 5 cars are allowed to pass it.

I had it explained to me as an "advisory" signal - rather like an amber in the UK. I have to say that I find the general lack of aggressive driving rather pleasant though. I was in the UK last 3 years ago and thought that the driving there had become incredibly aggressive during my 4 years absence. Here, when you commit a minor transgression (oh, ok - cut someone up then) it is completely forgotten about 100 metres up the road. In the UK, you would be chased for 5 million miles so they could scream abuse at you.

[NickZ]

Originally Posted by Aretina

They also need to be in front - let them go. The important thing to remember is to be decisive when driving because Italians will 'read' what you are doing. They also have a different approach to 'courtesy', there is nothing personal but they do not acknowledge if you let them in and likewise do not expect any courtesy in return. In fact they always look completely baffled when we have tried to 'thank' them for giving way etc...
.

I find the opposite. Too much courtesy. One guy last week half ran a stop sign last week then stopped to let me go. I was tempted to tell him it would have been easier if he wasn't in the middle of the intersection People do wave if you flash your lights to signal radar. Or if you let them in.

Most people will pass if you let them. It's only a small number who sit back there and draft.

It all depends on what you're used to. To me it is just normal city driving. People are used to tight spots and drive that way. Doesn't matter if it's in the city or a country road.