Comments on: Italians vs. Australians – what are your driving experiences?

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:21:00 +0000

“It works out at about 0.00759% of Australia’s population per year killed in road accidents compared to 0.00918%”

True this might be the case – but that’ doesn’t tell the whole story. I am sure you will find that Italy has higher speed limits, less road rules and takes a much more relaxed view to things such as drink driving, speeding, use of seat belts and so forth.

It would also be interesting to know what the motorcycle fatality rate is like in Italy compared with Australia.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:54:20 +0000

Drivers in Italy are as aggressive as any in Australia but are far more competent. Like us they have traffic jams, multi lane highways and many secondary roads similar to those in rural NSW, but whatever the conditions, being more skilled and better trained, they are quicker to adapt and respond to road conditions and they are far more conscious and considerate of other road users. Most significantly, speed limits are higher and the roads are policed sensibly. Revenue raising revenue isn’t an objective.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 07:10:23 +0000

hmmm . . . all very interesting, however I don’t agree (and yes, I have driven in Italy, including Rome, and Australia). The statistics back me up and show that Australia has LESS fatalities from road accidents (per capita) than Italy. It works out at about 0.00759% of Australia’s population per year killed in road accidents compared to 0.00918% for Italy – and check out the news story from the link . . .

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/24/1986539.htm

By: Susan Russell

Susan Russell — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:03:21 +0000

Yes I too could not agree more. I have driven all my life, for 43 years, worldwide and have a Gold Licence. Being resident back in the Illawarra the past 30 years I am absolutely horrified at what I encounter on the road and cannot believe what I see, often by P Platers, within metres of our local Police Station. There have been many deaths locally, many young males and some pedestrians, all through irresponsible driving.

I sat on a local Community Safety Team for several years, with Council and local Police, which involved bringing in the NRMA to help bring down a lot of crime related incidents, mainly car theft and break ins. This was all voluntary work but it has done a lot of good. Still, at the end of the day we need more visible policing, particularly on our roads – I could book people every day I go out, if I had the authority.

I have always said that Australia should bring in the same laws as USA/Canada – no drinking/driving until 21 years of age. Yes I agree that each individual needs to be more responsibly trained in all aspects of life and it should begin at High School, where young people spend most of their young years preparing for adulthood.

Could the NRMA not be instrumental in making changes in these directions so that Australian drivers become far more responsible than they are.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:30:58 +0000

I remember too many years ago negotiating my kombi in peak hour traffic in Rome when ‘crunch’ – bingled a tiny bambino Fiat I hadn’t seen below. We stopped, checked each other’s damage, she said – “don’t worry about it …”

I loved it !

By: Barry Shaw

Barry Shaw — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:22:01 +0000

I have been driving for 60 years legally and a bit before that. Driving was a pleasure, less traffic, cars were harder to drive (crash boxes) so people had to concentrate more and ther was respect for other road users. Trucks were slower and would pull to the side to let the faster traffic past, none of that now. Drivers had a respect for the other guy and would give way redily. How it’s changed. I used to fly commercially and we called it airmanship but you don’t see much roadmanship, it’s all me first,pity.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:40:05 +0000

I agree that Italians are better drivers with faster reflexes. In 2003 before driving in Italy we heard that Italian drivers were crazy, but we found the opposite is true. After driving 3000 kms from Rome north & down the east coast we witnessed very fast reaction times, especially in built-up Rome. With few signs & faint, weathered pedestrian crossings we still felt safe crossing major roads. Thousands of city-dwelling, motor-scooter riders are testament to road safety in Rome. If Australian drivers are willing to practise courtesy on the road, instead of aggressive tail-gaiting, road-rage we would not need all the regulatory laws forced upon Australians now. Public education campaigns during prime-time tv would be a good start.

By: Ian Strawbridge

Ian Strawbridge — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:51:10 +0000

The major problem with drivers in Australia is that they are taught to pass a rule book which has very little to do with driving and lots to do with revenue earning to keep a bloated RTA afloat.

If the RTA is claiming to be resposible for the “training” of drivers out there then they should be charged as an accomplace to manslaughter of many many people.
We alsom need to stop parents (who mainly don’t know any better) from training their kids to drive in the same manner that they do – brain off, start car, A to B, get out of car. Kids need to be taught survival skills and no one should be able to get a full license without a advanced driving course certificate under their belt.

Not likely to happen is it – our government needs the $$$!

Lets gut the RTA for a start, introduce real driving skills and for those that cannot get their lips around some thinking – take them off the roads. The other major problem with todays traffic is people who will not or cannot do at or near the speed limit in normal conditions. They are a menace!

People also have no idea what to do in an emergency or even that if they have been involved in an accident putting on the brakes after it is a good idea! Oh my…

Whilst I’m at it which idiot decided it was ok for push bikes to be able to be riden side by side on a road – looks like road kill waiting to happen on busy roads!

I could go on and on and…

By: Russell Schreiber

Russell Schreiber — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:41:42 +0000

I am recently returned from a 7 week motoring tour of Europe, my fourth since 2000, including travel across Northern Italy for the third time, and was not surprised by this article because I have previously expressed the same sentiments. I observed that Italians do obey road rules, at least they no longer abuse the car horn, except for wedding processions. You do have to be especially careful of young people on Mopeds though, they own the road. On motor ways they seemed to me to be consistent in their use of the fast lane and in merging or overtaking, this is a far cry from what you experience at home where often the outside lane becomes congested with drivers doing exactly the speed limit, at a rediculos 110 kph in many places and those in a hurry using the slow lane to pass.
I would like to offer a handy tip learn’t early on in my O/S travel, that is to leave your “left” indicator on in the process of overtaking in the fast lane, this acted as notice to fast approaching traffic to take care, which they do.
The absence of road rage has been the most noticeable thing for me, both on and off the motorways in Europe.

By: JB

JB — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:41:17 +0000

I would totally agree that Italian drivers are better than Australian drivers however I would expand this to include many European drivers or is it actually the drivers?

The whole driving experience in Australia needs looking at, the road marking and sign system is a confusing mish mash of US and European styles with a few State and Local government variations thrown in. On top of this the inconsistence of road rules and speed limits makes it difficult for the driver to keep within the rules.

Local council traffic calming systems supposed to be designed for road safety in are some cases a hazard to road users with some unmaintained and almost invisible at night.

In Europe and the UK road signs and road marking are clear and consistent and drivers are taught to read the road ahead, road markings in particular are designed to warn of hazards ahead. Local authorities are compelled to keep to the national standard. Take a look at the UK Highway Code and you will see what I mean

Australia should have a National road and traffic system including driver training and traffic sign and road marking standards. Local authorities in particular should not be allowed to make up their own rules.

Children should be taught the road rules at primary school age when they start as a cyclist.