I was really shocked in italy by the standard of driving. I was fully expecting full on car honking road rage in cities and uber fast driving on the motorways/highways.

Florence was incredibly calm, respectful and considerate driving. The Motorways everyone was doing just under the speed limit.

My italian friends said that its not the case in the north.

Apparently in Italy the speed limit is strictly enforced by automated cameras. If you go more than 5% over, you'll get a fine.

Wait... Does the US not have speed cameras?

Hmm, some states do. I didn't know that. The majority don't. California doesn't.

For the ones that do, I would guess they have more leniency than 5%, but I don't know.

Call them instead and ask. Multiple times they have manual available on the website, but after choosing it and going there to pick it up, it turns out they don't even have manuals in their fleet! Incredible