News: Italy tops table of Brits’ idea of driving hell
JEREMY CLARKSON calls them mad and according to a new survey, his fellow countrymen agree: Italian drivers are the world’s most erratic, making the country the worst to drive in.
JEREMY CLARKSON calls them mad and according to a new survey, his fellow countrymen agree: Italian drivers are the world’s most erratic, making the country the worst to drive in.
The survey of 2,000 British drivers by carrentals.co.uk, a comparison site, declared the country to be more hellish than Spain, France (its drivers are “belligerent” Clarkson has also said) and Germany (“they drive too close to the car in front”).
In addition to its bad drivers, Brits feared Italy’s bustling city centres, winding cliff-top roads and fast speed limits. They also accused Italian drivers of hooting for no reason, driving too fast and lane dodging.
As if that weren’t enough, the British drivers also said Italians were guilty of jumping red lights, something that, of course, we Brits never do…
But British drivers’ loathing of their foreign counterparts may mask a more serious problem. According to the survey, their biggest concern when driving abroad is not local drivers but their fear of driving on the left, and not understanding the rules of the road.
On this last point, one in six British drivers who were stopped by police, said they still have no idea why.
Gareth Robinson of Carrentals.co.uk said, “Driving abroad can be very stressful, especially if you are not experienced at it. To help, drivers should familiarise themselves with the driving laws and road signage of the country they are visiting.”
What Brits worry about when driving abroad
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Not knowing the rules of the road
- Not being able to understand the road signs
- Driving a left-hand-drive car
- Other drivers getting irate with me
Government advice video
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has launched a new road safety video, below, to help British travellers prepare for driving in Europe. For more country-specific information and travel advice, and to check the local laws and customs of the country you intend to travel to, visit Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘Know Before You Go’
