Brits 'do not know the rules of foreign roads'

By Tom Farley, Tue 24 Jun 2008 - Published in Car Insurance

Over 4.3 million motorists plan to drive their car to Europe this summer, according to Sheilas' Wheels.

Research by the insurer has revealed that nearly half of all drivers plan to swap air travel for car journeys.

The poll also found that 15 per cent of motorists assume they have comprehensive car insurance cover when driving abroad and would drive on foreign roads without checking.

Nearly a third think that driving rules and regulations in European countries are the same as in the UK and over half drive illegally when abroad by not carrying a warning triangle, which is compulsory in France, Belgium and Germany, along with having headlamp adjustments and displaying a GB sticker.

Over 3.6 million motorists are also unaware of speed limits on foreign roads, with 84 per cent of those questioned unable to say how fast you are allowed to drive on a French motorway.

Jacky Brown from Sheilas' Wheels said: It is … vital that motorists understand the basic rules and regulations for driving on foreign roads."

Earlier this week, Avis advised motorists heading abroad to familiarise themselves with maps of their destination before leaving.

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