Is it true that drivers are not good in Italy?

Question

I am considering hiring a car to get to my hotel in riva del garda from Milan Bergamo airport but have never driven abroad (i'm in the UK) so firstly am nervous about driving on the other side of the road and secondly people keep telling me that people drive crazy in Italy, is this true? Are there any strange road rules I should look out for, what are the rules when entering a roundabout - I know they are different to the UK in France... Is it difficult to get your head round driving in Europe when your from the UK?

Answer 1

Italians drive fast and pretty recklessly. They have tons of small roads and tend to go fast on them. But I think they're pretty decent drivers, they may go fast but they watch out for themselves.

Like on the highway, stay in the right lane because they go really fast in the left. If you do need to past, make sure you do it quickly. Cars behind you may flash their lights, letting you know that they're coming behind you fast and you better get the h**l out of the way.

I dont remember ever seeing roundabouts. Just remember you're safe of the right. Italians are aggressive drivers basically. They will cut you off or get offended if you try to get ahead of them sometimes.

Answer 2

I am Australian, and we drive on the left hand side too.

I found it useful to say out loud as approaching a roundabout, "Turn into near right lane; look left"

When turning left at an intersection, "Go to far lane of road, look left". My teenage kids were a help with this.

Italian drivers are actually very good. They all know what is expected of them and they stick to their "rules". The biggest rule I discovered was never to leave a space in front of you - that is when they sound their horn. Also, disregard lane markings - just fill all space on the roadway - except for the autostrada. Never get into the fast lane! But they were a quick means of getting around Italy, and the tolls weren't as bad as I thought they would be. I thought the tolls were good value.

The superstrada were excellent - good surface, slower pace, wide lanes. They are marked SS on maps.

I found it was great to be able to drive my family from city to city. We booked hotels that had off-street parking, and did most of our sight-seeing on foot or by local bus/train.

Good luck!

Answer 3

you'll be fine... just be carefull

Answer 4

italian drivers are pretty crazy... if you're not comfortable driving, i DO NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING THERE.

Answer 5

italians drive fast, because of the fast motorways, and when you come ask for a gps,

and yeah, italians drivers are good in north of italy, but if you go in napoli, or south, you ll find stuck in a traffic,

Answer 6

just be careful!

ask for a car with GPS  maybe  it can be useful!

Answer 7

Italy's drivers are the best.......

Answer 8

their driving is good...to them

its just the americans who aren't used to the way italians drive so they just say they drive bad

lemme just say they CAN be a little selfish on the road but most accidents that happen in italy involve an american

Answer 9

My friends in the UK are older adults, but they've reported few serious problems driving in other parts of Europe.  It seems those who have the most difficulty are those drivers who are most inexperienced, either at home or abroad.  But just so ya don't look on Italians with too jaundiced an eye - it's much, much worse in Japan - Tokyo in particular.  I was in a taxi in Tokyo once, and we came to a crosswalk and had to stop.  The driver got impatient and bumped an elderly man walking in the crosswalk to the pavement in his rush to get going again!  I have not been back to Tokyo since...that was 1969.  My acquainances in Tokyo assure me it's worse nowadays.

Answer 10

Just take the taxi.....You do not want the stress associated with driving yourself....

You will have an exciting ride....but the taxi drivers know what they are doing....besides...you will get to see more...if you let them drive..

Answer 11

False! Especially if you are in Northern Italy as you say, you'll have no problem. To be honest in Naples there is a.....particular driving style, but it isn't absolutely widespread in other cities and regions.

Answer 12

OMG...yes they're totally not good drivers. The sidewalks are really small and narrow so 2 ppl can't really walk side by side no matter how skinny you are.  I almost got ran over twice just walking on the sidewalk! Also in Paris, France and Italy the streets are really congested with traffic and drivers don't want to obey the driving laws...you know let pedistrians walk when they have the right-a-way to cross the street...seriously I could had gotten ran over 4/5 times! So be really careful!