Jaye F. Says:
What are the roads like in Italy?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Jaye,
Italy has a good road infrastructure, with more than 400,000 miles of roadway. Almost 4,000 miles of them are autostrade (motorways)—the equivalent of the German Autobahn.
Italy was the first country in the world to start building expressways, with the Milano-Laghi motorway of 1921, starting a trend that today dominates road travel across the globe. Carrying green signs, these highways are toll roads. The average rate is around €0.11 ($0.12) per mile. Tolls can be paid in cash, by prepaid toll cards, by Telepass (which will automatically take the charge from your Italian bank account), or by major credit cards.
Blue-signed superstrade are slower moving, while white-signed rural roads tend to be even slower still. Italians drive on the righthand side of the road, and current speed limits are 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour in urban areas, 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour on main roads outside urban areas, 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour on secondary and local roads, and 130 kilometers (81 miles) per hour on the autostrada (motorway). Another directive stipulates that you must not drive at a speed so slow as to hinder the flow of traffic.
Hidden along the streets, automatic cameras are in place to catch speeding motorists. The police can stop you for speeding, in which case an on-the-spot fine must be paid if the car is not registered in the EU. If it is registered in the EU, the fine must be paid in cash at the nearest police station within 60 days. The police can stop you for a routine check without cause. They’ll ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance.
You can find much more information about driving in Italy in our Escape to Italy manual, which is half-price on the IL Bookstore right now. Get your copy here.
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