Driving in ItalyEssential Information: Part Four

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Italian Road Signs

This is the fourth installment of our driving in Italy series. In this segment, we will be discussing Italian road signs. Before you step on the gas pedal, here's what you need to know to stay safe on the roads in Italy.

Stop Sign

Before driving in Italy, you need to know when to stop and yield. Along with the universal red stop sign, there will be a simple, solid white line cutting across your lane.

Stopping and Yielding

This white stripe indicates you must stop and yield. The word STOP is often painted on the pavement, but the white line by itself is enough to signal a mandatory stop. The lack of a white line means you have the right of way.

Yield SignThe upside down triangle is Italy's Yield sign. You can also expect to see inverted triangles painted on the pavement in front of you. In the above photo, the sign indicates the driver must yield in approximately 150 meters.

Road Lines • Drivers are not permitted to cross a solid white line. If

you are driving on a two-lane country road, you will find solid lines where no one is allowed to pass.

• Intermitted lines, or dashes, mean you can cross over into the oncoming lane to pass a slower vehicle. The dashes must be appear on your side of the solid line in order to pass, as long as it is clear ahead.

• Yellow lines indicate a lane is reserved for public transit and taxis.

O Means NO• A red circle with a white horizontal bar

means Do Not Enter. • If a symbol, such as a bugle, is inside the

red circle then that means no honking the horn. A red circle with a bike symbol means no bicycles allowed, while a red circle with the number 50 means no driving over that speed.

• A red circle with a fraction sign simply means a vehicle of a certain height or width is not allowed, but nothing you will be driving will be affected.

No Parking or Stopping

A red circle with a red slash on a blue background means no parking. A red circle with a red X on a blue background means no stopping and to just keep moving.

Ultimately, round signs will either forbid an action if trimmed in red, or permit an action when in all blue or white.

Blue Circle Signs

A blue circle, such as this, points to the right way to proceed.

If a blue circle has a white number on it, such as a 30, then that means 30 kilometers per hour is the minimum speed.

Warning Signs Triangular signs are warning signs. A symbol inside a red triangle, such as pedestrian crossing, children, wild animals or a curve, advise you what to watch out for.

Pedestrian Crossing Children

Wild Animals Bend, to right

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights operate the same as they do in the United States. Occasionally traffic lights will display arrows in red or green enabling traffic in specific directions.

Square and Rectangular Signs

Square and rectangular signs typically provide information.

They can point to parking, hospitals, police, train stations, city centers and a host of other destinations.

Hotel Petrol Station Bus Stop

Unpaved RoadsYou may come across unpaved roads, which lead to private homes, country B&Bs, farming estates and luxury villas in Tuscany. Unpaved roads are normally dirt or gravel and aren't usually difficult to navigate. They may get bumpy, so take it slow and be on the lookout for pedestrians and other motorists.

Driving in Italy By familiarizing yourself with Italian road signs, you can drive safely and avoid a ticket. For more information or to book one of our lovely Italian vacation rentals, call us today at Parker Villas at 1-800-280-2811!