5 Rules of Driving in Sicily
I openly declare that I was a back seat driver.
I was also a pedestrian, a keen observer, a commentator, photographer and note-scribbler. The idea of taking up the wheel behind a hire car in Sicily filled me with fear. Fortunately, our travel plans altered the last minute and we were no longer required us to drive in Sicily. But the experience of being driven around qualified me to make a few observations from the road.
Sicilian Rules of Driving
1. Ensure your hand never leaves your horn. It is invaluable when you drive behind a gigantic truck and you toot before you overtake on a narrow stretch of road. Or when you pass Marco on his Vespa with his cute girlfriend riding in the back and you want to catch their attention.
2. At red traffic lights, cars may stop. Vespas may not. Bicycles will definitely not stop. If you’re a pedestrian, best if say your prayers, preferably in Italian and count your blessings.
3. Senso Unico means a one-way street. It doesn’t specify which way.
4. If you spot a tiny space on the other side of the road big enough for a scooter, it is acceptable to hold up traffic in both directions and use it to make a three point turn. The tooting melody that follows will be music to your ears.
5. In Sicily, there are no set rules. Anything goes. Pretend you’re a local and make them up as you go along.
Photo taken in Sicily, through the narrow lanes of the Kasbah in Mazara del Vallo
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RT @gourmantic 5 Rules of Driving in Sicily http://bit.ly/9cqx8q #travel #sicily #italy #driving
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
This is so true! Another thing, if there is a lane specified only for buses, cars will use it if traffic is heavy enough. (I complained to my Palermitani cousins that the problem with the streets was that there needed to be a lane for buses only.) They were laughing so hard they could barely explain to me there is a bus only lane, but cars use it, too.
food lover kathy: This is brilliant! I find it amazing and entertaining at the same time while travelling. Not sure I’d get used to it if I lived there.
Sounds pretty much like Manila, Philippines!! LOL.
Jen: I’ve heard that chaos rules in that part of the world!
Some tips on what to watch out for if you are planning to drive in Sciliy. http://bit.ly/bYORYq http://bit.ly/cEMg7O
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Who knew, there ARE rules….RT @gourmantic: 5 Rules of Driving in Sicily http://bit.ly/9cqx8q #travel #sicily #italy #driving
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @Gourmantic 5 Rules of Driving in Sicily http://bit.ly/9cqx8q
This comment was originally posted on Twitter