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Driving in Italy

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  • 22-02-2005 11:47am
    #1
    Jildy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39 ✭


    I am heading over to Italy - Amalfi Coast region for my summer holidays and am going to rent a car. Everybody keeps on saying to me - "Don't do it. They are all mad over there !!"

    How bad can it be - I am going to take out the full insurance on the car and I am a competent and confident driver so I don't see the problem.

    Anyone agree or disagree ?? :confused:


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    #2
    ambro25
    Registered Users Posts: 5,994 ✭✭✭ambro25


    Jildy wrote:
    "Don't do it. They are all mad over there !!"

    Having driven in Italy a fair few times in the past, and 'discovered' Irish driving over here since September '04, I'd say there's a good case of charity mocking the hospital : They may drive a bit more 'nervously' than here, but at least they know how to! :D:D:D


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    #3
    michaelanthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 741 ✭✭✭michaelanthony


    They are a bit crazy. They tailgate a lot and drive very fast.


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    #4
    michaelanthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 741 ✭✭✭michaelanthony


    They are a bit crazy. They tailgate a lot and drive very fast and overtake to on blind bends.


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    #5
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 39,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    michaelanthony wrote:
    They are a bit crazy. They tailgate a lot and drive very fast and overtake to on blind bends.
    are we now talking about Ireland or Italy? :D


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    #6
    lomb
    Registered Users Posts: 6,031 ✭✭✭lomb


    ul b ok, they do drive insanely. just rent a mid sized safe car. most of them drive ****tty seicentos and renault 5s so if they crash into u it will be them that are dead/ injured and not u :D also their parking leaves ALOT to be desired


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    #7
    ambro25
    Registered Users Posts: 5,994 ✭✭✭ambro25


    Look, I'll give you the same advice I've always given my foreign m8s when they visit & drive in Paris (because the driving is very comparable, when you're not used to it):
    whatever you drive,
    wherever you're going,
    do NOT, EVER, hesitate while driving.

    If you miss a turn, or you're not sure to go left or right or whatnot, better you go wrong and turn around later, than diddle-daddle at 10 mph or pile on the brakes - that's when the local fauna is taken by surprise and bad things happen. So long as locals can tell what you're going to do in your rental car in the next 2 seconds timescale, just be on your way and keep the blinkers on, they'll know what to do. :)


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    #8
    Jildy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39 ✭Jildy


    All sound advice and what I had more or less anticipated.

    Thanks.

    Will probably rent a focus or stilo sized car anyway.


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    #9
    Neuro
    Registered Users Posts: 459 ✭✭Neuro


    It's not that bad! I've driven an Alfa Romeo 156 around Tuscany without and problems. Italian roads are far better than Irish roads and are a joy to use. If you're used to driving in Ireland you're capable of driving anywhere in the world in my opinion.


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    #10
    Interceptor
    Registered Users Posts: 3,180 ✭✭✭Interceptor


    Its not a bit mad - I drove around Italy for two weeks on business last year and didn't see any difference between there and here. The motorways (autostrada) are a bit fast but I was able to keep up in my 1.2 Punto. City driving is no more nuts than any other country which has rush hour traffic - 'hesitate and get beeped at' applies everywhere.

    'c


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