Male Italian Drivers Bury Another Magliozzi Theory
Dear Click and Clack:
As I was cleaning my house this last week, I heard your pathetic weekly broadcast over the Armed Forces Radio Network. As your voices filled my home, I found myself questioning the decision of the Pentagon, which I assume thought the military would enjoy listening. I found myself in a sort of daze, unable to turn off what I was repulsed by. I kept thinking, I serve my country proudly in the U.S. Navy, and this is what they give me?! Alas, though, this is not the reason why I am writing to you both.
At the end of your show a caller called in about his girlfriend's choosing to stop at a four-way stop and let everyone wait until she was done speaking before she moved her car. You both proceeded to blame all bad driving in America on the increasing numbers of women drivers. I have to say that I must protest. Women are not the worst drivers; Italians are.
I have been living and driving here in Sicily for about a year and a half. During that time I have witnessed a long list of bad driving techniques that are too numerous to mention. I will give you the brief version.
1. Italians don't believe in pulling over to the side of the road when they stop. They will stop anywhere, anytime, anyplace. They don't care if they are blocking traffic for a mile. Hey, if Giuseppe sees Vinny coming down the opposite side of the road, what is the problem with stopping to talk to each other? Who pulls over? Only the wimpy Americans.
2. It is against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving here. But, really, since when did anyone follow the law here? I followed a guy yesterday for about 10 miles. It was a two-lane road through vineyards and was very windy (like all the roads here are). FOR 10 MILES this guy was talking on the phone, speeding up the car, slowing down the car, weaving across the road, weaving back across the road. And since Italians are so animated when they talk, there was much of that drive where I could see both of his hands in the air while he was driving.
And you say women are bad!
3. Speed is no issue here. Italians are one of two things: in a hurry to get to dinner or in no hurry because they just ate. In a country that makes some of the fastest cars, you sure wouldn't know it. When I drive across the island of Sicily to visit the catacombs in Palermo, I spend most of my time weaving in and out of traffic -- not because I want to, because I have to. It is a normal occurrence to come over a crest and all of a sudden be faced with a car traveling at about 35 mph (ON THE FREEWAY!!!). When you try to move over to go around, you notice that in the fast lane cars are traveling anywhere from 55 mph to 150 mph.
Have I mentioned yet that women rarely drive in this society?
Have I mentioned that it is about 95 percent men on the roads here?
Tom and Ray, you should know better than to tell a population that is 50 percent women that they are bad drivers. I am sure I am not the only one who wrote in disgust. However, I still feel myself strongly drawn to your show to hear what will come out of your mouths this week.
Sarah P. Merryman
