Driving in Italy, what have we learned?

Italy's roads are either really smooth or really bloody bumpy. More bumpy than smooth though. In general their smaller roads aren't a patch on those in France or even the UK for that matter. 

It is apparent, I believe, that Italy has no driving test, given the standard of driving we have witnessed, endured even. I have seen some driving school cars. These must just be to teach the bad habits, before letting them out on their own. 

Italian drivers are the most impatient I have ever come across. It's as if they are all in a race to be first in the queue to meet their maker and they do their best to achieve top spot at every opportunity. This means, they overtake anywhere and everywhere, push into queues, refuse to let people across the road and totally ignore road markings and speed limits. Even our Italian chum Loenzo says you need eyes front, back and both sides!

They change direction in the main part, without any indication. If they had a driving test someone would surely have told them what that stalk on the steering column is for. Same goes for road markings and speeds limits too

They will park anywhere. Double parking happens almost everywhere. They will park on corners and on zebra crossings. Anywhere there is a space is fair game. If they can't get all of the car into a space, they will stick the front in and leave the arse sticking out.

Partially blocking a road whilst chatting to a mate, either in their car or on the pavement, is totally acceptable it would seem. 

Children, those most prized 'possessions' of parents are allowed to roam about the vehicle unsecured. What year is this?

It is acceptable in this developed world country to sit 2 or more children on a scooter, with a third standing on the footboards in front of the rider! Italy isn't that far east, is it?

Aircon is a pointless addition to any Italian car, as a vast majority drive with their window down, right hand on the wheel,  left arm waving out of the open window, unless they are talking or texting on their phones that is! Even scooter riders use their mobiles whilst riding.

The plod are just as bad. We have witnessed a  copper driving along using his mobile phone. 

Italians get upset if you do Italian on them,   tooting and gesturing. They don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring!

There's probably other stuff I missed out. Overtaking in tunnels is one of Grizzly's favourites.