Lots of Traffic on Italy’s Autostrada Can Spell Trouble for Travellers

The first weekend during the month of July brought a landslide of vehicle traffic originating from the North of Italy, winding its way snakelike all the way to the country’s Southern tip. The influx of tourists included a mix of Northern Italians, Austrians, Germans and more than a few Greeks and Turks coming from the opposite end of the country as well. All came in search blue skies and a stretch of beach they could call their own. Other travellers had business on their minds – hauling cargo of every imaginable kind on enormous interstate rigs. The result of this summer migration? Long lines of traffic that choked the main travel routes throughout Italy with automobiles, campers, buses and motorcycles passing through the cities of Rome, Milan, Bologna and others. To make matters worse, this first wave of tourism brought with it several accidents and heat-related deaths that paralyzed the traffic flow for the entire country, and slowed these creeping lines of traffic to a halt.

Guess what – it’s going to get worse. And for unsuspecting foreigners travelling abroad, this “traffic tilt” can result in lost time on the highways, missed connections, bad tempers and more.

So much for starting off the vacation season on the right foot.

This chain reaction – explains Officer Stefano Serra of the Bari’s Italian Carabinarie – is a problem that has logistical and physical ramifications. “The tail-end of June and the beginning of July brought us some of the hottest days on record. So when you have slow traffic and hot temperatures you’re dealing with more than just traffic flow. You have the potential for serious health problems as well.”

In fact, over the course of July’s first weekend, there were several heat-related incidents occurring in vehicles ranging from heat stroke to water dehydration and even death.

Adds Serra, “…Let’s face it, not every vehicle on the road has air conditioning. And not every driver on the road is prepared for mishaps or delays…”

The solution to avoiding long lines, scorching heat and unruly drivers travelling from Northern Italy to the south or vice-versa may come down to “when” you decide to hit the road. Travelling early in the morning or late in the evening are viable solutions as there will be less traffic on the roads and cooler temperatures. And if you must travel during the day it may be worth considering to travel in the early-to-mid-afternoon, taking advantage of The Italian siesta between 1:30 and 4:30. Remarks Serra, “…most Italians pretty much stop what they are doing in the afternoon to eat or take a break and this frees up the road for a few hours. It might be something to consider…”

No matter when you hit the road, Serra emphasises that it’s important to keep plenty of water on hand to help combat the heat, and make sure you’re rested. Multiple cups of coffee are no substitute for having enough sleep.

This summer is going to be memorable in Italy for more than just lots of traffic flooding the country with tourists. This is also the first summer when a motorcycle patrol is being introduced on the country’s superhighways. Called “RIPS” these cops-on-cycles will travel some of the most trafficked areas in and around Italy’s major cities to include Rome, Venice and Milan. The RIPS patrol is looking to clamp down on alcohol-related traffic incidents that in-turn affect the safety of travellers on the country’s roads.

“Clogged highways are just the beginning”. Comments Officer Serra. “…That will come and go in cycles as Italians take their vacations. The next priority is that while everyone is on vacation; the roads are safe and accidents are kept down to a minimum regardless of the reason…”

Long lines of traffic can be mapped out in 15-day increments, matching typical two-week vacation periods. But the majority of traffic problems will occur during the first weekend of August, and then again around the 15th of the month – the summer’s biggest holiday. At the end of the month it’s just as bad, if not worse as all these cars turn tail and return home.

Be prepared for the worst just in case.

Italy is pegged as one of THE places to be this summer. The numbers are already bearing this out as the summer of 2006 looks to be starting off both as profitable for business as it expensive for visitors. But the challenge of “getting there” is what will make this summer memorable for visitors.