The FCDO (Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Brits about a little-known pedestrian rule in Italy that could land a fine.
In the UK, it’s easy to get used to crossing a road wherever we feel like it, as long as it’s safe to do so, with no law in place against jaywalking. And of course, there’s the addition of zebra crossings and traffic lights.
So, as a pedestrian on holiday abroad, it might seem pretty straightforward to cross a road, and we might assume it’s similar to the UK. However, it can be vastly different.
So much so that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a stark warning on pedestrian safety to Brits travelling to Italy. And there’s even a risk of a fine if caught not abiding by the rules.
Holidaymakers in Italy should be aware of the rules before crossing a road (Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
In an update for Italy on Monday, 10 August, the FCDO: “Traffic can be busy, fast and chaotic, especially in the larger cities.Take care when crossing roads. Pedestrians should cross roads at a crossing.”
They warned: “You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it. Drivers do not always stop, even though they are required to. The green pedestrian crossing signal also allows cars to turn right on to the crossing, so cross with caution.”
Anyone caught breaking these rules could face a fine of €26 (£22.25) to €102 (£87.28), which would certainly put a dampener on any Italian holiday.
Under its safety and security travel advice page, the Foreign Office also advised Brits to: “Exercise caution in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including in road underpasses.
“Emergency exits in vehicle tunnels are for emergency use only if you need to leave your vehicle and should not be used as pedestrian routes.”
But that isn’t the only rule to be aware of when visiting Italy. If you’re eager to explore parts of the country and hire a car for the occasion, there are some vital traffic restrictions that could result in a fine.
It’s crucial to be clued up on any travel rules before jetting off abroad (Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
The Foreign Office outlined: “You need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian cities in a private or hire car. You can buy a pass from most car hire companies. The boundaries are usually marked with the letters ZTL in black on a yellow background. If you pass this sign, your registration number is likely to be caught on camera, and you will be fined if you do not have a pass.”
In addition, there is a congestion charge for the Milan city centre, and sometimes the authorities in Rome “restrict traffic to reduce pollution”. “This means certain vehicles are not allowed on the roads in the green band (‘fascia verde’) area, which covers most of Rome. The Rome Municipality has more information,” the FCDO explained.
If you’d rather grab a taxi than hire a car, the FCDO advised: “Only use officially licensed taxis, which have a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number written on the side. Call a taxi, order one from an app or pick one up from an official rank.”
For more information on travel advice and safety for Italy, visit the Foreign Office website.
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
