Simple Summer Driving...
As many of us will take to the roads in the summer months, we thought it would be a good idea to compile a Summer Driving Guide for you. We hope it helps make your trip more enjoyable, and prepares you for your journey. You may just want to hit the road, but simple things like maintaining your vehicle and familiarising yourself with foreign road rules could make it easier for you in the long run. We've even included some fun games to keep you entertained in those seemingly endless traffic jams.
When driving through Europe...
Regardless of which country in Europe you are visiting, ensure you are familiar with their road rules and regulations before you arrive. It will help you avoid fines, or in the worst case, a run-in with the local police force.
For example, here are some of the more unusual European road regulations we've discovered:
- In France, you MUST adjust the direction of your headlights for driving on the right hand side of the road. You can either do this by adjusting your headlights manually or by purchasing a set of stick-on adaptors. In low visibility, you will also have to use your headlights instead of your sidelights and always carry a high-visibility vest for every passenger in your car.
- In some European countries carrying emergency fuel is illegal, so check the countries that you know you will be travelling through for their individual laws on this.
- Car cleanliness could provide you with some headaches, in some areas of Germany on a Sunday it is illegal to wash your car, but in Moldova it is against the law to drive a dirty car. In Belarus, it's against the law to have a dirty number plate that can't be read.
- If you suffer from "road rage" you need to tread extra carefully in Germany as you could be fined for making any abusive gestures or using foul language towards other motorists.
- If you are travelling on motorways (with 3 lanes) in Italy remember that the middle lane is for overtaking, so keep left or right unless you intend to pass. You also need to keep your indicator on before and during your overtaking manouver.
- Besides ALWAYS having an emergency triangle in your car, in Spain you will need a set of spare light bulbs and ALL of the tools to fit them to boot!
Reference: Saga's European Driving Guide/The Automobile Association
Find out more about each countries requirements (AA Touring Tips – opens in new window)
When the journey is getting you down...
The motorway is bumper to bumper as far as you can see, the children are irritable and you are a little hot under the collar. Bank holiday and summer holiday traffic is some of the worst we experience in the UK. The reasons for the added stress range from excitable children to irate spouses, here is a list of the things that wind us Britons up the most when travelling by car:
- 59% of us will argue about who is responsible for encouraging a wrong turn - so why not plan your journey ahead with simple written directions.
- 37% will reach their boiling point because of traffic - why not try our fun games below to help relieve the tension?
- 34% said that screaming children drove them over the edge - find distractions to keep the children busy, like singing along to their favourite CD, or trying out a few of our games.
- 18% of the arguments were caused because of someone's taste in music on the stereo - set the ipod to shuffle, or enjoy the sound of silence for a change.
- 18% claimed that the weather was the reason for getting a little hot under the collar! - turn on the air-con to keep cool, drink plenty of water, or stop and stretch your legs to get some air. If it's raining, remember to take it slowly when driving. Better to be safe than sorry.
Reference: Saga's European Driving Guide
Why not play some games...
Car Tunes
Turn on the radio, CD player or ipod and listen to the beginning of a song, turn the volume right down and carry on singing. Turn the volume back up and see if you're still singing in time with the song.
Keeping track
Print a map of the route you're going on for everyone and highlight landmarks and place names you'll pass on the way. At each one, take it in turns to make a story, joke or song about it.
Spot Black
This is like a game of pool. Choose someone to keep time as you get 20 seconds for each go. One player is red and one is blue. The idea is to spot seven cars of your colour before you can spot a black one. If anyone in the car spots a white car, you must give up and give your go to the other player. The winner is the first to spot all seven of their colour plus a black car.
And finally...
As we have already mentioned, you need to famliarise yourself with the road rules and regulations of all of the countries you might be visiting or passing through. Some of the things to look out for include legal driving speeds, that you can check here (AA Touring Tips – opens in new window) , and below is a checklist of all documentation you will need to have close at hand when driving in Europe.
One final thing to remember is NEVER drink and drive, Penalties are severe in Europe too but the tolerance levels vary. There is a golden rule that says: "If you have been drinking, don't drive."
Reference: The Automobile Association
insurance.co.uk were happy to put this guide together for you, and really hope it helps you prepare for the holiday driving, whilst adding some fun to what should be an exciting journey.
If you've got any fun games or advice for our customers, feel free to share them with us by emailing feedback@insurance.co.uk