1. The A1 is terrific. The main arterial route down through Italy is smooth, quick and easy. The only negative is that as with all Italian motorways, it is a toll road.
2. Everything else (thus far) is just pot luck. The general trend is that the roads are woefully unkept. And when they are, there are multiple repairs to one area, none of which are level or smooth. As a result business opportunities have sprung easily to mind in Italy: a tarmacing company, a shock absorber salesman, a tyre workshop amongst others.
3. The topography of the country means that a road network is difficult. From entering Italy the road was essentially tunnels and bridges with no real natural land on which to place a road. An amazing feat, but the tunnels need cheering up, and the bridges need their expansion points all sorting out. Another opportunity perhaps for a business.
4. Italian drivers part 1. We have got used to the urban swarm of mopeds. It is all rather crackers and dangerous. They just come at you from all directions. In addition, as you go to avoid the next pothole, you then realise as you swerve out that there is a moped there. Not easy and not always fun.
5. Italian drivers part 2. Indication, it doesn't happen. Roundabouts are like a big roulette wheel.
6. Italian drivers part 3. Lane discipline. Variable results here for different reasons. Motorways we have realised don't have cats eyes in the road. Therefore much wandering of vehicles especially tired lorry drivers is evident. All other traffic just has to cope. At times we have had no motorway markings at all creating a bit of a free for all. In some city urban driving there is a lack of indication of how many lanes there are, so you can easily end up being nudged into a non existent lane.
7. Italian drivers part 4. Parking. Do what you like, park where you want! Bonkers, crazy absolutely mad!
8. Italian drivers part 5. Manners. I think I am just a stick in the mud who thinks that manners helps wherever you go. Drive a lovely Somerset lane, meet a car and there is lot of waving of thanks and gratitude. Not one single Italian driver has thanked or gestured approval for being let out of a junction or for giving space to pull in or whatever.
9. Crossing the road is like a game of Frogger (1980s electronic game), where you had to safely guide your frog across a busy road of 5/6 lines of traffic without getting the little amphibian splodged. The zebra crossing does not mean a free and easy smooth passage across the road here in Italy. It's more so an indication that 'yes, I am a pedestrian and I will be risking my life to cross the road whilst you all continue to drive around me'. Having children has helped stop traffic though, but watching others cross the road is amazing. It really is like Frogger!
10. Signage. To be honest, I think we have wasted more fuel in Italy as opposed to Spain. The signage is bad for newcomers. Satnav is a must for most I would guess.
11. Monte Cassino must get a special mention. We stopped here briefly to get some shopping but to also try and soak up the atmosphere of the place 70 years ago. The battle of Monte Cassino was a pivotal battle as the Allies pushed back the German forces during WW2. Grandad Clements was in the area and involved in this battle which pretty much destroyed the place. This gave us something to think about in the dramatic landscape that it sits in. Sadly, Monte Cassino is THE place for one of the worst roads I have ever come across. A slipway that leads into the town was more like a heavily pitted mud road that had been covered with Tarmac as a quick solution. I have never come across anything quite so bad for what is a main road. Shocking!
12. It is almost imperative to drive whilst on the phone. Everyone does it, including the wasp like moped riders. Even the police do it!
13. If your car has a bumper that is not cracked, be proud of it, because it won't last long!
14. If in doubt...BEEP loads. The longer you beep, the better you are.
15. On a single lane highway with oncoming traffic in the other lane, you need to be aware that there is a magic and invisible 3rd lane. Anyone can use it, it's like Platform 9 3/4 in Harry Potter, you just need to drive fast towards it and it allows you to overtake everyone in complete safety!!!!!
Out of all of this it is worth pointing out that we have survived and have got this far. Without the roads, that would not have happened! I'm looking forward to looking at the British roads now with fresh eyes and seeing now they stack up in the Tarmac charts!
Ed
Ps. Sue McElroy, you wanted to know what it was like driving in Italy. Basically, budget for the motorway (have "cash" on you as cards don't always work), but remember it doesn't necessarily guarantee a smooth passage. All other roads treat as shocking, and be pleasantly surprised if they are better.
Perhaps Adam can do the Italy driving, I'll do the other countries!
ReplyDeleteIt is the complete opposite in the south. Roads are better and barring the cities/towns the roads are clearer.
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