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When travelling abroad, it is important to remember that the driving laws in
that country may differ from those in the UK. Penalties won't make for a good
holiday so it's worth spending a few minutes checking you haven't missed anything.
In particular, check the following
...
-
Vehicle papers. Your vehicle papers, including insurance & driving licence are up to
date and you have them with you.
-
Motor insurance. Ensure you car's insurance is up to date and valid for
the countries in which you will drive. Most policies cover driving abroad but
it's best to check.
-
A bulb kit. In many EU countries, you must carry spare bulbs for your lights.
-
Fire extinguisher. A working fire extinguisher must be available to you
... and it must be in the
car, not the boot!
-
Headlamp beam deflectors. These must be fitted when driving abroad, not just
carried. Even if you do not intend to drive at night, they must be fitted.
The following is also worth bearing in mind ...
- Breakdown cover. This isn't a requirement but can prove very useful if you get
stuck. Check your existing policy and if required, you can often upgrade cover
for the travel period only.
- Travel insurance. In case of delays or medical
emergencies you may wish to consider taking out additional cover.
- Miles vs Kilometres. Most EU countries operate in kilometres. Remember,
when checking your speed, look at the kilometres per hour (KPH), not miles per hour (MPH).
- Speed limits vs Conditions. In some countries, such as
France, remember that the motorway speed limit actually differs when it is raining.
- Distance. Distance signs are
also in kilometres, not miles. The numbers may seem high, but go down more quickly!
- Snow chains. If you take them, ensure you know
how to put them on - it's best to check in your relatively warm driveway than
when you actually need them in sub-zero temperatures.
Prepare for your journey ...
- Be familiar with the route. Take a road map &
look at it before you set off. Even if you have a SatNav doing the work, it's
best to have an idea where it should take you, in case it doesn't!
- Set up & check the SatNav. If you have a
European SatNav, set it up for travel abroad. For example, you might want to
display details in kilometres instead of miles as this will tie up with the
signs you see.
- When are you travelling ? Consider the time you are travelling and whether the roads at that
time will be busy. Dover, for example, always seems that bit further away when
you're in a hurry to get the boat!
- Be familiar with the traffic laws. Check anything you may need to know including
seatbelt & child restraint laws, radar detectors, drink drive limits and other safety requirements.
Now go and enjoy your holiday and enjoy your motoring.
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The Highway Code is probably one of the UK's most studied books, at least when
people are studying for their driving test. We probably all remember the cover
of the first one we read (and if you're an advanced driver hopefully the cover &
contents of the most recent!) but where did it all start ? When did it first
appear and just how many versions have their been ?
You might be surprised at the answer, but the group's John Dowell certainly
won't be! He's studied the history of the Highway Code for many years and is an
authority on all things linked to it. His work has been published and you may
have even seen some of his collection at our New Malden centre.
In this article, John gives an
informative overview of the Highway Code from the very beginning to the present
day. You might be surprised at some of the answers! |