Sun, sea, sand, and safe driving

Sun, sea, sand, and safe driving

With the summer holidays approaching, many holidaymakers will be driving abroad. Whether you drive to your destination or hire a car when you get there, the experience will be very different to driving at home.

Before you go, give your car a health-check are your oil and coolant levels correct, and have you got plenty of tread on your tyres? Run an eye over your car each day of your trip, looking particularly for any damage to the tyres or lights, and making sure the windscreen and windows are clean.

For many motorists, driving on the wrong side of the road is the most worrying aspect of going abroad. Get used to driving on the right when you arrive by sticking to motorways where there are fewer distractions -- no traffic heading at you from unexpected directions and junctions and hazards are clearly signposted.

Overtaking in a right hand drive car is more difficult as your view will be blocked. Hang back from the vehicle in front to improve your field of vision, and keep an eye of your left-hand mirror before you pull-out. Be aware that you may appear hesitant while trying to overtake and somebody could decide to take the opportunity to pass you.

In some European countries drivers approaching from the right have priority. A yellow diamond sign shows that you are on a road which has right of way over roads joining it. These signs are common on many main European roads. If the yellow diamond sign is crossed out, you no longer have right of way, so be cautious.

Remember that headlamp flashes have different meanings in other countries. Here we generally use it to mean Im giving way, but in France it means the opposite. When someone does flash, wait and make certain of their intentions before moving. 

Watch the drink. European countries have lower drink drive limits than the UK. In France, Spain and Italy the limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, compared to 80mg in the UK. As always its easier not to drink at all, but if you do, remember you might still be over the limit the next morning.

Be prepared. Many countries on the continent require you to carry equipment such as warning triangles, reflective jackets and spare bulbs. Check the regulations before you travel and make sure you have the right kit.

Look after yourself. Ferry crossings, driving long distances and driving through the night are tiring. Getting sleepy is especially likely when the bodys rhythms are in a natural trough, such as the early hours of the morning, so try and rest through these times and if you need to keep driving, take regular breaks.

And slap on the sun cream. The breeze from an open window or the air-con makes it hard to tell if youre burning.

Drive carefully and have a good holiday!