If you are planning on traveling to Europe this summer, then you will probably find it a bit tricky familiarising yourself with the rules and regulations involved with driving abroad. There are some well-known benefits of taking your car with you on holiday like skipping the long queues at airports and waiting for local buses and trains. There are also some things that you should bear in mind if you are planning on driving on unfamiliar roads.
Right side VS Left side
Except for the UK most countries in Europe drive on the right-hand side of the road. This means that you’ll be approaching roundabouts in an anti-clockwise direction rather that clockwise. You should always bear this in mind when driving to avoid running the risk of an accident.
Headlights
You should also be aware of your headlights when driving, it is a legal requirement to use appropriate lighting when driving so as not to blind oncoming drivers. If you are using a sat-nav it might be illegal to use a sat-nav equipped with radar detection pointing out where speed cameras are located. It is worth familiarising yourself with the rules and regulations of driving in each Country you plan to visit.
Wear and Tear
Driving long distances can have negative impacts on your various parts of your car, it’s worth checking your tyres, windscreen, mirrors and lights throughout the duration of your trip. Elongated driving can increase wear and tear on your tyres and because it is the only point of contact between the surface and the ground it is always a clever idea to keep it up to specs. Remember, if you do run into tyre related problems, you can call out a mobile tyre fitting crew to help you.
Plan your Route
If you plan on driving to somewhere that you haven’t been before it is a smart idea to plan your journey before you set off. There is nothing as scary as being stuck in a foreign country with no battery on your mobile phone or sat nav. It is always helpful to have a backup paper map in your car to avoid such situations.
Regular Breaks
If you are going to be the main driver on your road trip, you should make sure that you are fully equipped to deal with the stressful situation. Make sure that you take regular breaks and if you feel that you need to sleep, you can find a truck stop and rest there for a few hours. Remember that it is always better to be late than not to turn up at all.
Emergency
Before embarking on your trip, you need to consider the latest crime stats and advice on how to avoid danger whilst in the country. If you are anywhere in Europe you can call 112 if you are in distress. It is also worth remembering that the rules are different in every country so if feel that whatever you’re doing could be against the law then it is better to avoid it.
