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29 March 2024

Top tips for holiday drivers

It’s always advisable to check the weather before you plan a road trip. (FILE)

Published
By Keith J Fernandez

When you get behind the wheel of a car in a foreign country, understanding the local-language signs aren’t the only problem you might face.

According to British insurance firm Swiftcover.com, motorists driving abroad are faced with several issues, not least that one country’s laws aren’t the same as its neighbours. Driving abroad throws up special hazards and it’s worth taking precautions.

At a time when UAE residents are embarking on ambitious road trips across Europe, it offers several tips for driving on the continent. While many of these are for UK drivers, we’ve adapted them for Dubai’s speed freaks.
 
Laws: Read up on the local laws. You’d think that this would go without saying, but a surprising number of tourists drive in the UK and the EU without taking the time to familiarise themselves with local driving regulations. In particular, it’s important to know the speed limits and overtaking laws, but don’t forget the obvious – motorists in the UK drive on the left! 
 
Etiquette: But don’t forget about style. Drivers in different countries may also have a different driving etiquette, which can be disconcerting if you don’t know anything about it. Italian drivers, for example, are comfortable driving much closer to other cars than drivers in the UK. Seek out information online before you travel. 
 
What’s on board: Find out what you need to have in your car. EU countries have specific regulations about what you must legally keep in your car. Some countries, such as Austria, France and Spain, also legally require you to have a high-visibility jacket, which should be within reach of the driver’s seat – so not in the boot! And most countries legally require drivers from the UK, for instance, to have a GB sticker, a reflective warning triangle and headlight beam converters. 
 
What’s the weather doing? Prepare for the heat – or the rain. In the UK, you would need to make sure you’ve got an umbrella or wellies handy – practical advice even if you’re driving through India at this time of year. countries such as Spain, where temperatures routinely soar to 40˚c in summer, you need to take precautions. Take window shades and plenty of water, especially if you are travelling with young children, and don’t forget your sunglasses! 
 
Pack sensibly: When loading your car for your holiday, it’s tempting just to put everything in the boot and set off. However, it’s important to make sure that the load is spread evenly, so that the car doesn’t tilt when passengers are aboard, and that the driver can see out of the rear window.  This applies equally to anything you may buy on the trip. You may want to buy large “antiques” at French and German markets and then ship it all from Italy, but loading your car down with – sorry – junk isn’t practical.
 
Insurance: Check that your insurance covers you. Most importantly, it’s crucial to check that you’re covered for driving in the country you’re in because not all insurers automatically cover policyholders for driving overseas if you’ve rented in the UK, for example, and want to travel to Prague.
 
Change your ways: Have some small change handy. As you may know, toll roads are spread throughout the EU. Prices vary and can be as much as €15 (Dh71.12) for some stretches of road, so it’s best to plan ahead. If you plan to drive in Switzerland, you’ll need to purchase a Vignette, which will allow you to travel on Swiss motorways for one year at a cost of 40 CHF (Dh139.02). 
 
Know your limits: Depending on where you are, you mayn’t be able to drink and drive. The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy and drivers would well be advised to stick with that rule. However, if you’re left with no choice but to drive after a night out, find out what local rules are. UK actually has one of the highest tolerances for drink driving in the EU, 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Most EU countries ban driving with more than 50 mg per 100 ml, so to be on the safe side, it’s best not to drink at all if you’re planning on driving later. 
 
Map quest: Make sure your map’s up to date. Many EU countries, particularly new member states such as Latvia and Croatia, but also Spain, are currently building miles of roads which don’t feature on new maps. Unless you want to get confused by maps that don’t correspond to the roads, get a 2010 map and make sure your TomTom or sat nav is up to date. If you’ve borrowed a sat nav from a friend, as we once did, you may find that Eastern Europe isn’t loaded onto it and you may find the compatible software en route.
 
Plan ahead: Most important of all, research everything you need to know before you leave. The USA, for example, is a big country with a wide range of driving conditions and regulations. As a tourist, your foreign license is valid in most states for up to one year, however, some states offer a shorter grace period. Seat belts are usually the law in many countries – as are safety seats for children – and cell phone drivers are usually frowned upon. 
 
Park mark: Parking regulations can be nuanced: in some American states, lots can be metered, carry a flat fee, or come free to everyone. Streetside parking is common, but hard to come by in the more populated cities. In Europe, ask locals about off-the-beaten-track parking lots that may be a short walk from an expensive lot in the centre of town.