When traveling in Italy, visitors are bombarded by a plethora of signs and warning notices, most of which will probably turn out to be irrelevant. Some of these signs are easy to understand because they are international, or pictographic, for example the word STOP written at a road junction will make sense to anyone who knows English!

However, there are other important signs and warning notices that are less easy to decipher especially when you are concentrating on driving along the autostrada (freeway/motorway) for example. So here is a list of some of the common avvertimenti that you may encounter:

1. Mezzi pubblici (Public transport)

Allacciare la cintura di sicurezza – Fasten your seat belt

Non sporgersi dal finestrino – Don’t lean out of the window

Si prega di non parlare al conducente – Please don’t speak to the driver

Vietato attraversare i binari – Crossing the railway lines is prohibited

Pedoni – servitevi del sottopassaggio – Pedestrians – use the subway

Non toccate i fili – pericolo di morte – Don’t touch the wires – danger of death

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2. In macchina in città/L’autostrada (In the car around town/on the autostrada)

Divieto di sosta – No waiting/no parking

Divieto di accesso – No entry

Lasciare libero – passo carrabile – Don’t block the entrance/exit

Strada ghiacciata – Ice on road

Caduta massi – Rock fall

Spartineve in azione – Snow snowploughs at work

Obbligo di catene a bordo – Snow chains must be carried in the car (this is obligatory on some autostrade in the winter)

Banchi di nebbia – Fog banks

Raffiche di vento – gusts of wind (usually on high bridges along the autostrada)

Lavori in corso – presenza operai – Road works ahead – workers present

Mantenere la distanza di sicurezza – Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead

Guidare con prudenza – Drive with care

Moderare la velocità – Reduce speed

Rallentare – Slow down

Accendere i fari in galleria – Turn on headlights in the tunnel

Controllo elettronico della velocità – Electronic speed control, usually an autovelox (speed camera)

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3. In generale (In general)

Proprietà Privata – Private Property

Vietato l’ingresso, or Vietato l’ingresso ai non addetti ai lavori – No entry/No entry to unauthorized  personnel

Non calpestare le aiuole/il prato – Don’t step on the flowerbeds/grass

Si prega di non lasciare rifiuti sulla spiaggia – Please don’t leave rubbish on the beach

Attenti al cane – Beware of the dog

Acqua non potabile – Not drinking water

… and finally, one that we see a lot here in Lunigiana: Raccolta funghi e prodotti del sottobosco a pagamento – To pick wild mushrooms and other forest fruits you need to buy a permit.

These are just a few of the many avvertimenti (warning signs) that you will be able to ‘enjoy’ in Italy. I don’t want to list too many because you might change your mind about coming here! By the way, don’t be surprised if you see the ‘natives’ ignoring these warnings, it’s a national sport.