Hi all
Coming to the end of a very enjoyable holiday in Sicily. We've hired a car and although I was a little disappointed walking past the Alfa 159s and Lancia Deltas to the Bravo Diesel it's been a good servant this past couple of weeks, has eaten the miles comfortably.
Was a bit worried about the reputation drivers in Italy have, and especially in places like Palermo - they are nuts but it all sort of works. No one pays much attention to road signs, junctions or speed limits, but there's no aggression and everyone just makes steady progress.
It's actually a lot more effective and enjoyable than driving at home. Sure, lots of people probably have hideous accidents but that's all part of the fun (tic)
That said, on no less than three occasions I've been pretty much driven off the road and into a hospital - interestingly, all by the same type of person in the same type of car. It's not perhaps what you would expect either. I'm back home tomorrow so will reveal Silicly's most maniacial driver and car but thought you might like to guess beforehand.
Clue : it's not the Polizia with their 159s with Squadra Volante on the side of the car, or anyone on a moped...
Lee
|
Shaved head, aggressive at work, home and on the road. Also seen shouting at pensioners trying to park.
That`s the Alpha male.... ;-)
(note the smiley)
Edited by oilrag on 10/05/2009 at 10:02
|
I drive and have driven in Italy often over most of my adult life. I first tried it not long after having passed my UK test which suffice it to say was not recently.
At first it was very scary as you say. It appears that you are only moments away from an unplanned connection with something.
Until a wise old Italian gentleman helped me to understand the different driving mindset.
He advised me to think as they do. The basic difference is that they are concentrating on not hitting anything with their front bumper and so is everyone else. They completely disregard the mirrors. However, if you think about for a minute, provided everyone is doing the same it sort of works.....
Thirty-odd years on and no one has ever hit me and I have likewise never redesigned anyone else's car in Italy by following that advice. You do have to remember to switch back to northern european mode when you leave though !
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 10/05/2009 at 10:13
|
Driving in London can be a bit like that, everyone looks to make reasonable progress.
A simple example, if you are pootling along in two lanes of traffic and there is a parked car on the nearside, there is an assumption the drivers in the nearside lane will ease around the obstacle.
No slowing down, indicators, nervous glances over right shoulder, just move to the right to keep going.
Drivers in the outside lane know this and allowance is made accordingly.
I drove around London daily for about 10 years and never hit anything, or ever really came close.
Low average speed gives more time for the decision making process.
|
|
|
"The basic difference is that they are concentrating on not hitting anything with their front bumper and so is everyone else. They completely disregard the mirrors. However, if you think about for a minute, provided everyone is doing the same it sort of works....."
Yes thats just the way it works there. Everyone is looking forward - aiming not to hit anything, aiming for gaps. Its works as long as everyone does it. Dont look back, dont worry about whats behind you or to one side of you, just dont hit anything front of you.
|
|
|
|
No, it's not the Ross Kemp lookalikes...
I'm looking for a type of person but weirdly, also a specific type of car.
|
I'm back home tomorrow so will reveal Silicly's most maniacial driver and car but thought you might like to guess beforehand.
Men (and/or Women) of the Cloth?
Edited by woodbines on 10/05/2009 at 11:13
|
Funnily enough I was going to say nuns in Pandas.....
Bad habits I suppose........
|
|
Travelling salesmen in clapped-out Mondeos from far away countries? :)
|
|
Pizza delivery drivers, perhaps? ;-)
|
|
Fruity mafia WaGs in Fiat 500s?
Edited by Lud on 10/05/2009 at 17:03
|
There all bad as they make the rules up as they drive along in Scicily! local bus drivers & scooter riders take some beating. If you have a prang expect to get frogmarched to the nearest cash machine & hope its spits out enough dosh! they don't bother with insurance .
The best bit about the hire insurance is your only covered if you don't drive & whilst the car is parked it must be in a secured car park! gated & locked.
Any one visting best take boat fenders with them to hang around a hire car, oh & traffic lights forget them there just there too look pretty at night
|
im going to have 2 goes
council workers in old type fiat pandas
young women in fiat 500"s
|
|
Holidaymakers in British regd cars.
|
|
|
|
What does a self-respecting Mafioso drive? A BMW perhaps, or more likely a German taxi.
|
Well back in blighty having a hamburger as big as my head in an ok diner somewhere on the a1- free wifi worth knowing.
Anyhow, young ladies in 500s nearest so far. As Roy walker would say it's good but it's notright. About another four hours home where I'll post the answer.
Love humphs nun pun.
Fwiw 70 with specs everywhere on the m11 is very dull after the hols. Good though as after brleing held up behind a lorry for a couple of miles you can do 90 to averageout to the next camera ;)
Lee
|
I reckon the answer is farmers in Fiat Cincaquentos.(sp)
I once saw a bloke on a moped get stuck in a tramline in Rome. He lay in the middle of the road and everone drove around him.
|
Three times I was sent almost into the scenery/scene of the accident by mommies in Renault Scenics. They didn't look distracted, but were hellbent on driving over the bit of road I was on so were more than a little scary!
Did actually have a moped drive into the back of me while I was stationary in a big traffic jam in Messina - the old fellow riding it just waved apologetically and rode off...Got a load of abuse from some fellow who then went off to vent spleen at the Polizia. Still don't know what had upset him, but he seemed angry with everyone.
Loved it though, great place :-)
Edited by Citroënian {P} on 11/05/2009 at 21:30
|
|
|
|
