Anyone out there ever driven the motorway over the top of Milan?!!

To say it was an experience would be an understatement - what planet are they on - Planet Speed I think.

I'm no whimp when it comes to driving neither is Paul - but as it turns out I get all the good bits when we go on holiday - you know - 6 lane motorways that you have to cross in a spit second to change roads - fog up the mountain road - snow & ice - sheet rain -usually around Reims - and so on - and he gets the long quiet motorways with no traffic on a bright sunny day. (where am I going wrong!?)

But the Italians - now their concept of driving is completely different to the rest of the world's - he says - don't let 'em get to you - I says - what am I supposed to do when the guy is already in the back seat!!! You're already moving at a tun and a bit - crowded motorway - can't change lanes - and Signor is inches from your backend - lights on full beam and flashing like mad - so where am I supposed to go as there's another 60 cars in front and no room to change lanes - and if you don't you won't get out again ... I don't know -

And did you know that the Fiestas, Uno's, Puntos, Micras etc in Italy are all capable of pulling 280 bhp - well they certainly drive them that way....

It's been an interesting driving exercise - also frustrating when I'm driving the lean mean diesel turbo machine (406) fully loaded - when I know I have a car back home that could knock spots off 'em and teach them some manners. To be fair to the 406 she does very well.

It was all worth it in the end I was able to pig out on ice cream for 4 days :)

P

Pen,
I've driven to southern Spain in a 16V Astra four years ago and there were 950cc Novas and 1.1 Renault 5's going past me like I was on a bicycle!!

Whilst the French are bad drivers, they are considerate. They have great roads too.
Whilst the Spanish are bad drivers, their Dorado lager is really cheap.
Whilst the Italians are bad drivers, they make nice ice-cream!

And whilst the Belgians are bad drivers, they have bl**dy good beer!

The Portuguese are statistically the worst in Europe.

Maybe as they don't have good beer, food, ice cream, women, etc etc...

I crashed the hire car into Johnny Spaniard when I was in Spain a few weeks back - so that's 1-0 to us - wahey :D

France was brillaint 120 down the motor, locals refuse to pay the tolls.

4 Lanes totally Empty.

Yup, did the very road in a fully loaded laguna with 2 boats on the back in a double stack trailer (lots of angle iron sticking out).. in rush hour. Good bit of london driving, had the locals running for cover :D

That said, it wouldn't do more than 60 on the flat.. for 1000 miles through europe and the alps via the gottard tunel. <yawn>!

Italy's idea of road safety is....

Build more hospitals. :D

Classic Clarkson.

You cant drive in Italy but the place is fantastic

Father Jack,
2-0 if you hired the car off of them ;)

Indeed I did - 2-0 :D :D

Just got back from holiday in Spain, on the border with Portugal.
Had a hire car for 6 days, did 3 days in Spain and 3 in Portugal.
Accidents seen in Spain = 0, Accidents seen in Portugal = 4.
Also dirven in Italy last year, know exactly what you mean, I'm surprised you could see his headlights.

There is solution to driving in Italy, all be it an expensive one.

Drive over there in an thouroughbred Italian car - total respect from all the locals and traffic on the Autostrada moves out of the way for you.

Last year I went through a speed trap on an Italian autostrada at an indicated 120mph <<oops>> in a 125kph limit and there was thinking I was stuffed. As I passed the Carbineri all I got was a salute :D !

Drving in Spain last week and they are defintely total nutters! But worth it as they have some awesome circuits there.

[Edited by RobinSherwood - 9/18/2002 1:27:26 PM]