The Restricted Entry signs may have an image of a specific type of vehicle that is restricted, like a truck or motorcycle, or it could also say “Zona Traffico Limitato” (Limited Traffic Zone). 

Some Examples:

You will see this on many signs upon entering a village/city, and it basically directs to the literal and figurative “city center”, the downtown area. Not coincidentally this is often where most hotels, dining, and many tourist attractions are found. 

Here is an example:

You can also note a couple of helpful color-coded reminders when looking at that sign. 

GREEN Signs refer to the Autostrade, the Italian motorway system that covers almost 5,000 miles throughout the country. Like most of Europe it is a closed system with tolls. For Americans, its like the expressway system of interstates and highways, but with a lot less ramps, less gawking, and yeah…more speed. It is the land of Lamborghini, afterall.

BLUE references non-toll, main roadways. 

BROWN signage references tourist attractions or historic landmarks, monuments, museums, etc. Unlike the US which usually refers to nature and campgrounds. 

WHITE refers to public services like fire/police and hospitals, entertainment/sporting (like soccer errr football stadiums). Important to note WHITE signage can also be for smaller, local or private roads/streets as well. 

There are a number of these types of signs that may be unique to many drivers, regardless of nationality, due in part to the unique topography of the country (and like a lot of Europe, the blending of old-world roadways with modern construction & transport).

Many of the signs of these variety are self explanatory, but there’s three warnings in particular to take note of: Movable Bridge, Level Rail Crossing (*No Barrier/Gates) and Cattle, of course.

This is a relatively common sign, in both rural and city regions. There are a lot of mountain passes with inconsistent road & lane widths, and many Italian cities still have stone or gravel roadways, especially near the centers of older villages and such (there’s a reason motorbikes are extremely popular and preferred, afterall!)

Be on the lookout for accompanying signage with this warning. Most often it will be instructing drivers which direction of traffic has a right-a-way (some roads aren’t wide enough for two full-bodied autos). 

On the left is a sign indicating you have the right-a-way.

On the right is a sign warning that priority is given to oncoming traffic.  

It’s probably not surprising to hear that there are a lot of pedestrians in Italy. Whether its tourists, sports fans, daily commuters, whatever the case, there are people…walking…everywhere. Drivers must ALWAYS be aware of them, as a lot of city centers and older villages have pedestrian pathways alarmingly close to streets, and if you’ve ever walked behind teenagers in a mall, tourists in Times Square or me when I have some good gelato…you know people do-not–pay-attention to where they are walking. Phew. PSA over.

So, Yeah. Lots of Pedestrian Crosswalks, Pedestrian Lanes, etc.

I wish I had some sort of context, or some first hand experience that would allow me the words here. I’ve got nothing. In case you didn’t know, horses are a big thing in Italy. And so is Equestrian. Or is it Equestrianing? Equesterers? 

It’s late. so I’m gonna save that Pinterest wormhole for another time, when I have a few or several or twenty hours to kill. But I can tell you tell there are these Bridleway signs in all sorts of strange places in this awesome country known as Italy. 

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