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Driving in Rome is far from being a pleasure, as the city is crowded and people drive very fast. Romans are very skilled, but this doesn't mean accidents don't happen. They don't have patience with others, so will let you know by using their horn when you do something wrong. When the traffic light goes amber, they accelerate in order to get out of the intersection faster. Be careful when breaking, as you might get hit. The golden rule in Rome: don't assume other drivers will obey rules in traffic. They look like they don't care.
The city is overcrowded, so traffic jams are frequent. Try to stay out of the city center. Rome is full of scooters, pay attention to them. They are used mainly by young and unexperienced people that don't wear helmets. Watch in the mirrors when changing lanes, they come from nowhere and are very fast.
Another place to be careful is at any roundabout. As in most European countries, cars in the roundabout have right of way. But Romans don't care much of this rule.
Parking places are scarce, especially in the city center. It is easier and usually free to park in the outskirts. Be careful to the people guiding you to free parking places, they request money. They might damage your car if you argue with them. The easiest way is to find a private parking (usually underground). Some of these parkings are huge and have enough space for many cars. You may also park on some streets, but you have to observe the parkings signs. If the parking place is marked by blue lines, it is a paid one. You have to buy a parking ticket from a machine nearby or from a tobacco shop and to leave it visible on the dashboard. Prices for parking are from €0.80 to €1.50. It is better to use park & ride facilities, as the prices are only about €1.50 to €2 for a full day.
Here is more information on driving in Italy.
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