FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesCar AccidentLa strada era bagnata e scivolosa.
B1

La strada era bagnata e scivolosa.

The road was wet and slippery.

Pronunciation

'Scivolosa' = shee-voh-LOH-sah. 'Bagnata' = ban-YAH-tah — the 'gn' makes a 'ny' sound.

When to use it

Use in police statements and insurance reports to document road conditions as a contributing factor. This can reduce your liability percentage in cases of shared fault.

What it means

Italian tort law (codice civile art. 2054) uses a contributory fault system. Road conditions (condizioni del manto stradale) are a recognised mitigating factor. Document weather and road conditions immediately in your photos.

Variations

C'era del ghiaccio sulla strada.

There was ice on the road.

Ice (ghiaccio) is an accepted mitigating factor — especially important in mountain areas.

La visibilità era ridotta per la nebbia.

Visibility was reduced due to fog.

Fog is common in the Po Valley — reduce speed and increase following distance.

La segnaletica orizzontale era consumata e illeggibile.

The road markings were worn and unreadable.

Poor road maintenance can shift liability to the local authority.

Mini Dialogue

— Ha fattori da segnalare riguardo alle condizioni stradali? — Sì. La strada era bagnata e scivolosa. Stava piovendo forte. — A che velocità stava andando con quella pioggia? — A sessanta, sotto il limite extraurbano.

— Are there any road conditions to report? — Yes. The road was wet and slippery. It was raining heavily. — What speed were you doing in that rain? — Sixty, below the extra-urban limit.

Cultural Note

Italian law requires drivers to adapt their speed to weather and road conditions ('velocità adeguata alle condizioni'), even if below the posted limit. Driving at the limit in heavy rain can still be considered negligent.