Driving in Italy

Weds, April 2, 2008

Random thoughts on driving: Driving here is rather “interesting” to say the least. Bill had someone tell him that cars are much like water and if you think of it “flowing” wherever it can,” vs being something predictable, you’re much better off. Stoplights and stop signs are rather optional, as is staying in a lane, (any lane), what is designed as two lanes can easily become 4-5 lanes at a stoplight if people actually stop, getting in a turn lane is optional, as is turning right from the far left lane, beware of motorcycles going between everyone, beware of cars cutting in from all sides, try not to be distracted by the site of someone’s baby or toddler sitting up on the dash, beware of the killer potholes (I haven’t been on roads this bad since traveling in Kenya), watch out for many local roads to flood during rainstorms, and finally, beware of highly variable speeds driven by everyone. The actual speed limit on the highways is relatively low, sometimes ridiculously slow. As a result, most everyone speeds (except the tiny Fiats that drive 20 mph below the speed limit) , and then there are those that come from behind at warp speed to hug your bumper until you move over, and than of course the few that fly past and you wonder what in creation it was that was launched that fast. It’s the variability that seems to be the killer- or add to it pavement made with a portion of marble that’s slicker than snot when wet… The intersection near our house on our commute to work/school is a busy 4 way intersection with a light, but it's only turned on once in a while. The funny thing is traffic usually flows better when the stoplight is not on… a little unnerving, but it comes with the territory. The direction with the most traffic has the right of way until someone else gets their nose out far enough that the other cars have to stop. Than at least 2-3 cars will go through and it starts all over again! Bill’s had a minor fender bender on the hiway and I’m hoping to continue accident free, but they tend to say there are only 2 kinds of drivers in Naples- those who have had an accident, and those who haven’t had one yet! My folks sent us a book called “La Bella Figura” that is quite amusing in its accurate description of life in Italy. Bill is currently reading it and my turn is next. I still miss my Odyssey, particularly when someone who lives on base drives their's. But, for mileage and greater ability to park- I have to say the Prius -hybrid- is probably the better choice. Oh, and we pay about $4/gallon for gas a rationed amount of gas each month. The actual price is about $8/gallon. So, we still have it pretty good in the States!