Driving in Italy
Discussion
Quick update on speed cameras.
I have just got back from a fortnihgt bombing round Tuscany in a 60hp Lancia Ypsilon
and many of the villages have speed cameras as you enter. Limits in villages are usually 40kph (sometimes 50).
The cameras are usually preceeded by a warning sign, quite soon before you get to the camera. Sign look like a black dot with radio waves coming out of it.
Camara (in this region anyway) looks like a grey box on a gray stand about 1.5 m high. There are no road markings. Looks like there are 2 lenses on the roadside face of the camera to measure your speed and a lense on the rear to snap you as you drive away. Usually they have red/white markings around the edge of the box.
easy to miss on strange roads at night
They also have similar ones on the Dual Carraigeways.
I have just got back from a fortnihgt bombing round Tuscany in a 60hp Lancia Ypsilon
and many of the villages have speed cameras as you enter. Limits in villages are usually 40kph (sometimes 50).The cameras are usually preceeded by a warning sign, quite soon before you get to the camera. Sign look like a black dot with radio waves coming out of it.
Camara (in this region anyway) looks like a grey box on a gray stand about 1.5 m high. There are no road markings. Looks like there are 2 lenses on the roadside face of the camera to measure your speed and a lense on the rear to snap you as you drive away. Usually they have red/white markings around the edge of the box.
easy to miss on strange roads at night
They also have similar ones on the Dual Carraigeways.
Edited by A2Z on Friday 10th August 13:29
Edited by A2Z on Friday 10th August 13:30
Well, after 4 months driving in Northern Italy (Asti to Torino every day), I can say that they are not as hard on speed offenders as the UK, not by a long shot. The police seem to stop dangerous driving (we have seen this on countless occasions), but you can even overtake a police car if you're going a tad over the 130KPH without any drama.
And the OP is absolutly correct, it is best to adopt the Italians' way of driving, its much more fun!
Overall, the policing of the roads seem to be a lot more fair and balanced than the UK, at least, in the area I drive.
And the OP is absolutly correct, it is best to adopt the Italians' way of driving, its much more fun!
Overall, the policing of the roads seem to be a lot more fair and balanced than the UK, at least, in the area I drive.
brian111s said:
Next are mobiles, new low recently introduced, you are not allowed do drive and call, you could be fined up to 7.000 euros,and worst of all police can take your licence and drag your car ( no joking) mainly it happens in the nord part of italy, if spotted talking with mobiles police will chase you,not always but it happend to many friends of mine.
Cheers.
LOL - no one seemed to tell all the drivers in Rome last week. People even crawling past police in their cars with the phone glued to their ears Cheers.
Lean on the horn ,flash lights continually,if there is a gap go for it,drive less than 1 ft from the car in front or someone will slip in,If only 2 lanes are in use create a third,go faster than everybody else,push and shove your way through,if a police car goes by tuck up behind less than 1 ft of course, stop for a coffee avery oportunity,if you want to go by flash ,tailgate ,indicators on and flash some more, it works every time, if they are asleep, pass on the right,it is the done thing .If you cant beat them join them!
xjandy said:
Lean on the horn ,flash lights continually,if there is a gap go for it,drive less than 1 ft from the car in front or someone will slip in,If only 2 lanes are in use create a third,go faster than everybody else,push and shove your way through,if a police car goes by tuck up behind less than 1 ft of course, stop for a coffee avery oportunity,if you want to go by flash ,tailgate ,indicators on and flash some more, it works every time, if they are asleep, pass on the right,it is the done thing .If you cant beat them join them!
LOL, sounds about right.
V12Les said:
And when you stop for a coffee...ask for two!, the sizes are: small, small...and small! Lovely coffee but there not Starbuck sizes.
Don't mention the S word and coffee in the same sentence. In Italy this will result in your tongue being cut out and fed to the dog.
s
tebucks don't have the first idea how to make coffee: moccha frappa skinny latteccinos are an American invention, like drive-by shootings... and about as popular/welcome.Also asking for 2 espressos or a double espresso is the equivalent of you walking into a British pub and asking for 8 pints.
Hope that helps.
...Wife has Cupucino for brecky and gets funny looks, and I always ask for Doppio Espresso,I cant make a normal one last more than 1 sip without having to lick the cup clean,and if I had a single I would have to have another.If you ask for doppio, my local only charges for the single!Love it. ....oh and Limoncello, from the freezer,with glass in freezer as well..in July /August.
Coffee in Uk, Bah never ever had a proper Espresso in the Uk even at Italian Restaurants run by Italians!
Coffee in Uk, Bah never ever had a proper Espresso in the Uk even at Italian Restaurants run by Italians!
xjandy said:
...Wife has Cupucino for brecky and gets funny looks, and I always ask for Doppio Espresso,I cant make a normal one last more than 1 sip without having to lick the cup clean,and if I had a single I would have to have another.If you ask for doppio, my local only charges for the single!Love it. ....oh and Limoncello, from the freezer,with glass in freezer as well..in July /August.
Coffee in Uk, Bah never ever had a proper Espresso in the Uk even at Italian Restaurants run by Italians!
Ah Limoncello with lemonade is awesomeCoffee in Uk, Bah never ever had a proper Espresso in the Uk even at Italian Restaurants run by Italians!
blueyes said:
xjandy said:
Coffee in Uk, Bah never ever had a proper Espresso in the Uk even at Italian Restaurants run by Italians!
Pizza hut is NOT an Italian restaurant.Sleepenvy- fragolino is for gayers
Erm hang on no i only drink Mild.
Olivero said:
Cafe Machiatto* Although with the proviso that all drinks should be consumed standing up at the bar while wearing sunglasses and chatting up the staff.
At last some sense! - The taste has nothing to do with the fact that all the staff are young, female and very perky (honest).
blueyes said:
Olivero said:
Cafe Machiatto* Although with the proviso that all drinks should be consumed standing up at the bar while wearing sunglasses and chatting up the staff.
At last some sense! - The taste has nothing to do with the fact that all the staff are young, female and very perky (honest).
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