07.27.06
The theory of Italian driving
So I’m enrolled in driving school right now. After 1 year of residency, American driver’s licenses are no longer valid here and the only way to get an Italian license is to go to school.
The rules are basically the same as America, with a few notable differences. For example: following distance. We were discussing the distance that you should leave between you and the car in front of you. During bad weather, the distance obviously increases. Then the instructor threw me a curve ball. He said that if you happen to be taking any medications that cause drowsiness, you need to increase the distance. I kind of thought … hmm … I would have said don’t drive.
And then he said that if he had gone out with friends and had a few drinks, he should increase the following distance. I think I may have audibly gasped. So drinking and driving is OK, as long as you give yourself plenty of room.
I should point out that Italians don’t often drink to the point of drunkenness. Drinking is different here. It seems that Americans drink a lot more when they drink. Italians tend to drink with a meal. However, any alcohol is going to impair your driving skills, isn’t it?