Remember to respect local laws if driving overseas

01 June 2012 16:38:24

Many Brits fail to read local driving laws.

If you're planning to drive overseas during half-term or the forthcoming summer holiday, remember that the road laws in your destination may differ from those back home. Research from Axa suggests that many people don't read up on local regulations before heading abroad, while others deliberately do not bother to observe the law. However, this could result in fines and may even leave you with a criminal record if you're caught breaking the law.

Third of drivers knowingly take risks
Approximately 10 million people are expected to drive their cars abroad this summer, but research by car insurance provider Axa suggests that more than a third take risks that they wouldn't do in the UK.

For instance, 27% of survey respondents said they are less concerned about breaking speed limits in other countries than they are at home, while 18% admit to paying less attention to their alcohol intake before getting behind the wheel. In addition, 7% revealed that they are less likely to use a seatbelt in another country, while 4% are more likely to use their mobile phone while driving.

Only 38% of respondents said they were no more likely to do any of these things abroad than in the UK. Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, around one-tenth of Brits who have driven their own car in another country have been in a car crash.

Just half check local driving rules
Another problem is that many people fall foul of foreign legal requirements when driving overseas because they fail to read up on the local laws before leaving the UK. According to Axa's survey, just 49% of Brits check up on foreign driving rules and regulations. As a result, fewer than half place a GB sticker on their vehicle; just 24% learn to understand the local road signs; and 63% do not check to see if they have the necessary documentation. Furthermore, a third of drivers do not even know whether their car insurance is valid overseas.

Sarah Vaughan, motor director at Axa insurance, said: "A combination of inexperience and disregard for the laws of driving abroad is a recipe for disaster for British drivers. It is shocking to see so many people willing to take risks that they wouldn't take at home." She added: "We would urge all drivers to prepare properly before heading away and to drive with more, not less, care than they would at home."

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