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VIDEO: Italian police catch 92-year-old driving on ski slope

Police in northern Italy intercepted an elderly man spotted driving his car up a ski slope, who reportedly told them he was trying to get to the ski lodge for lunch.

Published: 4 March 2019 11:35 CET
VIDEO: Italian police catch 92-year-old driving on ski slope
Onlookers filmed a car making its way across a ski slope in Trento. Screenshot: Giornale Adige/YouTube

Skiers were startled on Saturday to spot a Jeep driving up the slopes Col Rodella, a resort in Trento province.

FOR MEMBERS: 'Expect the unexpected': What you need to know about driving in Italy

The driver, identified by the Italian press as a local man in his early 90s, had apparently attempted to take a shortcut to the restaurant at the top of the slope, which most people access by lift.

His scenic drive was interrupted by carabinieri on a snowmobile, who escorted him safely off the slope. 

According to the local Giornale Trentino, he received a fine for his exploits of €30.

Under Italy's highway code, drivers over 70 must renew their licence every three years and for over-80s, it's every two years. Each time senior drivers have to present a doctor's certificate to show they're fit to be on the road (and preferably not the slopes).

Watch the video filmed by onlookers:

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For members

DRIVING

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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