A great many of us are headed for the continent this summer, with some driving involved, whether just at a location, or to and from a destination. However, driving on the right-hand side of the road, understanding foreign traffic signs and knowing the difference between kilometres and miles per hour can stress British holidaymakers beyond belief.
According to a survey carried out for EasyJet, a popular airline, and Europcar, a car rental firm, a majority (89%) of British motorists admitted to having little, or no understanding, of foreign regulations and road signs. Around 87% conducted no research at all into a foreign country’s Highway Code, before driving on its roads, and over half of Brits (58%) admitted to having driven on the wrong side of the road, while driving on the continent.
When you consider that a European road trip is on the bucket list for 55% of all Brits and 35% are planning to drive abroad this summer, not to take some action, especially as all of the information is available online, is to take risks to new peaks. Driving on the right-hand side of the road, identifying foreign traffic signs (44%) and understanding foreign rules and regulations (51%) are among the biggest challenges to British travellers. Differentiating between KPH and MPH also stresses out 25% of British drivers.
While carrying out research, it was revealed that Italian road signs caused the most confusion, followed by Portuguese (69%) and French (68%) signs. Interestingly, a lack of knowledge discourages British drivers from taking to the roads, as nearly three-quarters of those people surveyed admitted to feeling apprehensive, when driving abroad.
According to Kim McDonnell, Head of Proposition at easyJet: “Brits enter holiday mode, once they’ve boarded a plane, but a car at their destination gives them the freedom to enjoy and create their own holidays. Our research shows that we love the notion of road tripping across Europe, because it offers flexibility and spontaneity.”
The new research also uncovered some of the most obscure and quirky road laws:
- Filling your fuel tank, while the radio is still on in Spain, could lead to a €91 fine
- Legally, you cannot wash your car on a Sunday in Switzerland
- In Romania, you will be fined, if you are driving a dirty car
- In Germany, you can drive naked legally, as your car is considered a private space
- Drivers in Denmark must check for sleeping children underneath their cars before they set off.
The study also revealed that three-quarters of British motorists admitted to being at a loss, when it came to identifying road signs at home, which does not exactly bode well for continental expeditions. Common driving mistakes, due to misinterpreting road signs, include taking the wrong turn at junctions and slip-roads, breaking the speed limit and indicating the wrong intended direction of travel.
While many road laws and even the offences and fines in other countries have some commonality with British motoring law and the Highway Code, there are still distinct differences, when driving on the continent. Making yourself aware of them, perhaps even printing specific signs, when you locate them on the Internet, should be essential practice prior to attempting to drive overseas. The adage about ‘ignorance of the law being no excuse’ can be enlightened readily enough, when you are stopped by the police and levied an on-the-spot fine.
