Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging holidaymakers to ensure they are aware of speed limits, alcohol limits and other driving regulations before setting off on an overseas holiday this summer.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth says: “It pays to do some research before you go, whether you’re driving your own car on holiday or organising to rent a vehicle once you get there. Familiarise yourself with motorway speed limits, and remember that foreign drivers are subject to the same traffic rules as residents, often enforceable by hefty on-the-spot fines.”
Drink-drive limits, with the exception of Malta, are all lower than the UK. Many have a standard limit of 0.05% (the UK’s limit is 0.08%), though in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, the limit is zero.
Neil Worth comments: “It’s worth appreciating that although you can legally drive in the UK at the alcohol limit of 0.08%, doing the same thing in Hungary or Norway could put you in prison. There is no reliable way to calculate how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. But you have nothing to fear if you steer clear of alcohol before driving.
“Summer holidays are the time to relax and enjoy good weather, good company and hopefully some wonderful scenic road trips, whether in Europe or beyond. A bit of research and sensible journey planning will help ensure you don’t feel the need to speed or to drive after drinking alcohol – so you’ll be staying legal and reducing risk on holiday.”
You can find a comprehensive database of driving requirements at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/going_abroad/index_en.htm#
