Spanning 50 countries and states across a huge continent, Europe is the perfect place to have a road trip and sample many different cultures on holiday. A recent survey from ATS Euromaster has however revealed that many UK drivers are not aware of important regulations for driving on European roads. Here’s how to have a safe European road trip when on your travels.
Take the correct safety precautions
An ATS Euromaster 2019 UK driver survey has revealed surprising results in that two thirds of drivers from the UK are either not aware of or do not follow the mandatory regulations for driving on European roads. Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, you should always meet the legal requirements for driving in Europe if you plan to take your vehicle abroad. The requirements vary depending on the countries you are visiting and driving through – for instance, in France you are not permitted by law to wear headphones. You should research the rules and regulations for the countries you will be driving through.
The ATS Euromaster 2019 UK driver survey revealed that 53% of British drivers do not bring a warning triangle when driving in Europe. 47% of drivers don’t have a required first aid kit in their vehicle, and 60% don’t have reflective jackets for every passenger in the car. 61% don’t bring a GB sticker or registration plate, and 73% don’t use headlamp beam deflectors to prevent dazzling other road users with left-hand vehicle headlights.
Have insurance and the correct documents for your journey
You should always travel with the right amount of cover and travel insurance for your trip. It is also worth investigating specialist European car insurance, which might be obtainable through your current insurer. Check your current car insurance policy and contact your insurer to see what they can offer you and if you are covered for your trip and where you will be travelling. Make sure that you have your insurance certificate with you, as well as a Green Card (or International Motor Insurance Card), as you will need this documentation if you are travelling to or driving through countries such as Albania and Turkey. Always check that your insurance completely covers you for all countries that you will be travelling through, as some countries are not included in insurance policies.
Learn the road rules
Driving laws vary from country to country, therefore you should do some research before setting off on your trip to ensure that you are familiar with those in countries you are travelling to. Be aware that authorities in those countries will not take ignorance as an excuse – tourists will be fined in the same way as local people. Consider which side of the road you will be driving on, as you will need to purchase headlight converters to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Also consider passenger rules – in Spain for example, children under 12 need to be seated in the back seat of a vehicle at all times. They are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a car as a passenger. Smaller children also need approved child safety seats. If you do not follow such rules, you could be fined or your vehicle towed. Also make sure to adhere to the speed limits on roads, don’t use your phone when driving, and always wear a seatbelt.
Don’t drink and drive
Never drink and drive – in any country. It isn’t even worth the risk of just having one drink that is within a legal limit (like in the UK), as some countries have a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol (such as the Czech Republic and Hungary). To stay safe, completely abstain from alcohol if you are planning on driving. It isn’t worth the hefty fine or jail time should you get caught.
Book a hire car in advance
Booking a hire car on the internet before your journey will not only save you time and the hassle of modifying your car with headlamp converters so that it is safe for right hand driving on European roads, but will also enable you to benefit from a financial discount, potentially saving you money. It’s always worth checking the small print however, to confirm what the terms and conditions are and what is expected of you when you return the car. You may also be limited to the number of miles you can do in the vehicle – check that the car lease contract covers everything you need it to.