h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Reference “Italian Driving”. (And parking)

In the city Italians never park more than two strides from the shop they are using, and will always park on the footpath, this is not there for pedestrians but for the convenience of the motorist, if an Italian can’t afford a car he should stay at home.
Additional points can be earned by parking on the footpath while at the same time completely blocking the entrance to a pedestrian crossing. (Which is never used reference first paragraph)
When a chance pedestrian is noticed all drivers in the vicinity feel they must race to pull across the path in front of them, drawing forward until the bumper is touching a wall thus ensuring the pedestrian must walk around them onto the road where they become fair game for other motorists.

When I went to Italy, I was warned that pedestrian crossings there hold no legal power - ie. Italian drivers don't actually HAVE to stop, even when the lights are red. I was sure that I was only told this to scare me, but, for some unknown reason, I never got round to testing the truth of what I was told. Can't think why...

I have the same problem - even after three years in Italy! I have found though that if I give a red light driver the finger he or she blushes to the roots of his/her hair, so I guess the rules *really* apply here too! Actually, I believe the EU has issued certain common rules for the whole community on the matter (and that should mean red light=stop your car/don't drive), but I won't swear upon it.