Driving Ban!

[tiggerlover]

The Italians have issued a driving ban and it is going to drive me mad! This whole week you can only drive your car on certain days...(i.e. - today is an even day (Jan. 20th) so only cars with last numbers that are even can drive today; tomorrow is an odd day (Jan. 21st) so only cars with last numbers that are odd can drive. The only exceptions to the rule is if you have three or more people in the car or if your car uses GPL, than it doesn't matter if you are even or odd. After this week the ban will apply to Thursdays and Sundays through the end of March. This is so inconvenient to say the least, really throws a wrench in our daily lives. Luckily DH's car is even and mine is odd, so on the weekends we are okay, but during the week DH is the one who works so he will be the one to use the proper car. A few of our friends have cars that are the same, so I guess we are better off than some.

 

[nativetxn]

Is it because gasoline is getting scarce? How fortunate that your husband will always have a car available to get to work. Very inconvenient for you, though. Hope it doesn't last too long.

{{{HUGS}}} sweetie

Katholyn

 

[browneyes]

That would drive me bonkers! I live so far from EVERYTHING, I have to drive to get anywhere!

I'm wondering the same thing Katholyn is wondering, if it's a gasoline situation?

 

[luv2nascar]

what do you do if you only have one car???
how do you get to work on the days you can't drive
it just seems ridiculous

 

[BWVDenise]

How on earth will everyone get to work? Not to mention what about doctor appointments, etc...

 

[tiggerlover]

I don't think it is a country-wide ban, just in our area and I think it is to cut down on pollution, but I am not sure. They are promoting carpooling (hence the three person in a vehicle rule) and encouraging others to utilize public transportation. I should also have mentioned the times, it isn't all day, banned hours are 9-12:30 and 2:30-6:00 p.m., the most inconvenient times of the day if you ask me and March is still so far away.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

How exasperating! I wonder how the city will measure the "success" of its ban?? Less air pollution?

 

[Cindy B]

We had one car for 8 1/2 years.. with two kids... really you just work it out.

When we moved here to our new house, the choices were get up at 430 am with DH, and leave the house at 6 am with two kids up and dresssed so I can drive him to the train station or walk...


We opted to walk everywhere... I would just walk the kids 15 miles a week... just back and forth to school... do this for four weeks.. walking 60 miles a month.


Also walking to the store, etc.


Now I would love to see government giving more incentives for public transportation/carpooling... the diamond lanes aren't enough incentive for most people. My DH's employer gives a commuter train reimbursement ($100 a month) so that is helpful to us, and we love public transportation.

We use public transport on a daily basis, and can't imagine our lives without public transport...

Is a public transport option available in your part of Italy? I know most European countries the trains'/ Metro are outstanding, and more people rely on that...

 

[tiggerlover]

Originally posted by Cindy B
Is a public transport option available in your part of Italy? I know most European countries the trains'/ Metro are outstanding, and more people rely on that...

The train (no metro) is available here, but it is downtown, about a 20 minute drive from our house. I am a spoiled american, I love the convenience of my own car and being able to come and go as I please, that and the inconvenience of the whole thing is what bugs me the most. I never liked living in the city and know when we retire that I want to go back to small town living.

 

[Cindy B]

Thats tough... In these situations, I think of my friends in other countries.. In India, a car is an incredible luxury...


Same with Cambodia...


When my friends came here, and saw all the cars.. they were saying "Wow, all Americans must be very wealthy"... see, only 1-2% of India have cars.. the rest walk.

When they told me that people save four ruppees (about 2-4 cents) for cab fare and walk a few miles (yes miles) ..it made me feel very trapped and guilty.


We just bought a second car (just today) but it was a challenge getting up/and getting three people ready at 6am, and walking the kids in sub zero weather to school... WE will still walk, but not often.

We live in the suburbs as well, the train is very conveinent though for us. My DH would never drive to work in Philadelphia, he will always take a train.