Page 19 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

Driving in Italy 17

Left Roadside mirror near Radda in Chianti Right Automatic lanes at a motorway toll station
next place of any size on your route, the police for speeding may be asked DIRECTORY
as it is the town or village name rather to pay 25 per cent of the total fine
than a number that will probably on the spot; a receipt will be issued. COMMON ROAD SIGNS
be referred to on the sign. Note that The use of mobile phones in cars
some roads may just be named, and (except hands-free) is prohibited. Seat Centro
Town or city centre
may not use a number at all. belts, if fitted, are compulsory for Incrocio
The privately run motorways have both front- and rear-seat passengers, Crossroads
their own website, www.autostrade.it, although somewhat alarmingly, Lavori in corso
where you can get live traffic reports many Italians do not use seat belts, Roadworks ahead
by clicking on a map. even when driving on motorways. Parcheggio
Never drink and drive – the alcohol Car park
Speed Limits and Fines limit is 0.05 per cent. Rallentare
On motorways, the speed limit for Slow down
cars and motorcycles over 150 cc is Driving with Children Senso unico
130 kmph (80 mph); on main roads it Children under 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and One way
is 110 kmph (70 mph); on secondary 36 kg (79 lbs) must be transported Senso vietato
roads, 90 kmph (55 mph); and in built- in an appropriate restraint system: up No entry
up areas, 50 kmph (30 mph). Speed to 18 kg (40 lbs) in a baby seat, and Sosta vietata
limits are lower if you are towing (see above that in a booster seat. If you are No parking
p21), or if you have held a licence for renting a car, baby and booster seats Strada a doppia corsia
under three years, in which case you can be hired when you book. Remem- Dual carriageway
must not exceed 90 kmph (55 mph) ber to check that there is no airbag Strada panoramica
on main roads or 100 kmph (62 mph) fitted if you intend to put a child in the Scenic route
on motorways. Limits are also lower front passenger seat. Service stations Tutte le direzioni
if there is fog or heavy rain. are tolerably frequent on motorways, All directions
Some drivers disregard the motor- but although toys and sweets are Uscita
way speed limit, but the use of speed prominently displayed in their bars, Exit
cameras is becoming more wide- children are not well catered for; baby-
spread. If you incur a fine while you are changing facilities are virtually non-
driving a rental car, the rental company existent, and there is unlikely to be Below far left Hiking-route signs, Val di Planol
will deduct the money from your anywhere for older kids to let off steam Below left Road climbing through a tunnel to the
credit card when the fine arrives; speed safely. Some car rental comp anies hire village of Pieve Below middle Parking sign Below
fines can range from around €150 out portable DVD players, which might right Drive through the spa town of Pré-Saint-Didier
to €250. Tourists who are stopped by make long journeys less stressful. in the Valle d’Aosta Below Road signage for Citerna

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