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ACCIDENT

Boy, 9, takes wheel after grandad’s heart attack

A boy of nine has been praised for his quick-thinking when he managed to avoid disaster after his grandfather died suddenly at the wheel. Dodging passersby, the boy was able to steer the car for 500 metres before it crashed into a parked van.

Published: 12 August 2014 09:40 CEST
Boy, 9, takes wheel after grandad's heart attack
The boy did not suffer any major injuries thanks to his quick-thinking. File photo: Chris Sampson/Flickr

The grandfather, aged 69, and identified by the initials A.B., suffered a sudden heart attack while driving his grandson in his Fiat Punto at around 4:40pm on Monday in the mountain town of Fiuminata, central Italy, Il Messaggero reported.

Realizing what had happened, the boy then had the presence of mind to take control of the wheel and steer the car for 500 metres, managing to dodge passing tourists and residents.

But the boy was unable to stop the car and it crashed into a parked van on the side of the road by a building site.

Thanks to the boy’s quick-thinking he was able to save his own life and no passersby were harmed.

The boy was in shock and taken to the Camerino hospital for a check-up. An initial examination found that he did not suffer any major injuries.

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Reader question: How can I buy a telepass for my trip to Italy?

For long-distance travel by road in Italy, you may want to use the Telepass system - but how can you sign up before you arrive in the country?

Published: 16 April 2024 12:12 CEST
Reader question: How can I buy a telepass for my trip to Italy?

Question: “I’ve tried to buy a telepass for Italy’s autostrade from a German company online, but they refuse to send the unit to my United Kingdom address. Do you know how I can buy a telepass electronic travel unit before my trip?”

If you use Italy’s autostrade or motorways, you’ve no doubt heard about the Telepass system.

It’s not essential to have a Telepass, but it can be a more convenient (and cheaper) way to use Italy’s motorways, as well as to pay for parking, and even for other transport services like taxis, trains and ferries.

The Telepass is best known as a device that you stick in your vehicle which lets you pass through Italy’s motorway tolls without queuing at the gates or having to stop and pay with cash or card.

If you have it, you can drive through dedicated toll lanes (you’ll see yellow lines and sometimes a yellow ‘T’ on the road). The barrier will lift automatically and you can drive right through once you hear the device beep.

Telepass Europe plans also allow the device to be used on motorways in Spain, France and Portugal.

READ ALSO: What is Italy’s Telepass and how do you use it?

People living in Italy usually pay a monthly subscription for the device, but there’s also a pay-as-you-go option too with a one-off activation charge of €10 which is usually more convenient for visitors.

See the official Telepass website for details of current offers and pricing plans. 

You can sign up directly via the Telepass website or the app, through which you’ll also make payments and keep track of your subscription and expenses.

There are also various third-party websites offering Telepass plans, but as our reader found, these do not always ship to addresses outside of mainland Europe.

READ ALSO: How to pay Italian traffic fines from abroad

The Telepass website says the device can be sent out to your home address. There does not appear to be any limitation on the countries to which the device can be shipped, but if in doubt you can contact the Telepass customer service team via their support page.

You can also choose to pick up your new device from a Telepass point, located at gas stations around Italy.

Do you have a question about travel in Italy? Get in touch with the team at The Local by email.

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