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On the right road

It can be quite hair raising driving on Italian roads if you are used to disciplined driving elsewhere.
Italians are reported, however to be the best drivers in the world, this because their reflexes are so sharp but I would say they must be some of the most undisciplined.

When I first came over, the safety belts were just an optional it seemed, for un-cool fogies, helmets were not in. Teenagers certainly wouldn't be seen out in one and 3 up on the moped seat was the norm as was riding a bike with girlfriend sitting on the handlebars holding the umbrella!

Not to mention the lack of any drink-drive law. Unthinkable!

Now things are a little more organized, helmets are on heads, belts are tied and even the alcohol must be cut down. However driving is still fast and Italians love to stick to your bumper until they manage to overtake Schumacher style.
Zebra crossings are not respected but it's little surprise as they seem to be painted totally at random sometimes every 50 meters or so and many are so faded they are now just a distant memory.

The Italian Highway Code requires that drivers give way to vehicles coming from their right.
Beware at roundabouts where traffic sometimes has right of way once on the actual roundabout but not always as some still go by the old rule of always giving way to right coming traffic. Quite confusing to foreign drivers who also have to battle with other differences in the Highway Code.

If you are unfortunate to have an accident be sure you carry a 'constatazione amichevole di incidente' which should be filled in by both parties to make insurance claims easier. If you have trouble working out whose fault it actually is, call 112 and the police will do all the measurements and relative fines.

Report the accident to your insurer and provide them with all documents.
Obviously you need a valid license to drive in Italy. For those with a non EU license you can only drive for one year and then must convert yours or apply for an Italian license.

Hint: take out full cover insurance!

P.S. Driving laws and regulations in Naples simply don't seem to exist- Beware.