Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STOP Signs
The following information is provided in the spirit of a public service announcement and
should not be construed as encouraging you in any way to break the law. Nevertheless, I do
feel obliged to bring to your attention the fact that during my fifteen-plus years of driving in
Tuscany I have never seen anyone stop at a STOP sign. Unless there was reason to do so, of
course. Tuscans treat STOP signs much the way Americans treat YIELD signs. If someone
is coming, they stop and let the other car pass. If no one is coming, they just keep driving. It
seems that the idea of coming to a full stop for no reason when there is no one approaching
just hasn't caught on yet. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't set an example while you
are driving here next summer. In the event that you are rear-ended because the car behind
you never dreamed that you would stop, remember that the law is on your side. Please note,
however, that in Italy when you sue, you can only sue to recover actual damages, such as
the cost of repairing your vehicle and any hospital expenses you may incur. There is no such
thing as punitive damages nor compensation for pain and suffering. Also worth noting is
that the average civil suit takes about eight to ten years to make its way through the courts.
Nevertheless, don't let that discourage you from observing the letter of the law.
Some final words of advice: Volvos are supposed to withstand rear-impact collisions quite
nicely, and, remember, always drive safely!
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