What do you need to know about driving in Europe?

Ask anyone in the UK what you need to know about driving in Europe and the answer will be the same: be careful, they’ll tell you – they drive on the wrong side of the road over there. However, if you are considering a trip into Europe, there’s a lot more to come to terms with than which side of the road you should be driving on.

Speed

How fast is too fast in Europe? And how fast isn’t fast enough? Speed limits in European countries do vary to some extent so it would be wise to know exactly what the rules are before you set off. The speed limit for European motorways is usually between 120 and 130 km per hour. Germany doesn’t have a motorway speed limit per se, but a recommended speed of 130 km per hour. For rural roads in Europe, the speed limit is mostly between 80 and 90 km per hour and for urban roads around 50 km per hour.

Do some specific research into your chosen destination before you go it could be that there are special rules that apply. For example, in the Netherlands, more and more motorway sections have lower speed limits in place of 80 or 100 km per hour, with the aim of reducing air and noise pollution in nearby residential areas.

Alcohol

If you’re used to English laws when it comes to alcohol and driving, you may have a system for making sure you’re not over the limit. However, you should definitely check that the country you’re going to does not have different regulations, because even a tiny difference could result in you accidentally breaking the law in a foreign country, and that could definitely ruin your holiday.

In the UK, the legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol to every 100 millilitres of blood but we still see some astounding number of accidents caused due to excessive limited drinks consumption  in the UK read more about drink driving and accident rates in the UK. However, in Denmark, France, Croatia, Spain and Switzerland, it’s only 50. In many countries you also need to take into account how long you’ve been driving. In the Netherlands, for example, the legal limit is 50mg if you’ve had your licence for more than 5 years, but only 20mg if not.

Strange stuff

There is also the possibility that the place you’re going has its own driving laws, unique to that country and as far as you’re concerned, totally pointless and weird. Did you know, for example, that in Spain you cannot drive without a second back-up pair of glasses (if you need a first pair, that is)? In France, you can be fined if you don’t carry your own breathalyser at all times (even if you don’t drink). And in Germany, although driving naked is perfectly acceptable, you must always wear sensible footwear.

Do your research. Forewarned is forearmed.

With the best will in the world, however, there is still the possibility that you may have an accident whilst driving abroad.

Can You Make a Car Accident Claim in the UK for an Accident in Europe?

It is not that widely known that you can indeed make a car accident claim for a road accident in Europe once you are back in the UK. European rules and regulations mean that – for the moment at least – you can make an injury claim or a traffic accident claim to a European insurer in English and Welsh courts. But there are still some tips, which we feel you must keep a note of to protect your claim for accident injury compensation.

Driving in Europe is not necessarily any more dangerous than driving in the UK, but understanding and sticking to the local laws will certainly make it as safe as possible. Despite UK being on of the safest for driving but most safest and vigilant drivers can find themselves involved in an accident and here are 5 common reasons of accidents in the UK.

For any advice about accident claim in Europe or UK or to start your claim for compensation today, speak to our specialist accident claims department on 0800 999 4042 or fill in the enquiry form and we will make sure we provide you with the best possible advice on accident claim compensation.

One Call Accident Management works in conjunction with panel of Personal injury solicitors in birmingham , London, Manchester and other major cities, we provide a comprehensive legal referral service to provide the best compensation and service to our clients so making a claim with us is just One Call away.. call us on 0800 999 4042 .