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Holidaying Brits break the law abroad
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33% think it’s legal to drink and drive in France
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58% don’t know it’s illegal to have a speed camera detector in France
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Only 34% would recognise a ‘road closed’ sign in France
Failing to understand the rules of the road abroad is causing British motorists to unwittingly break the law on holiday, according to Direct Line.
More than 300,000* Brits have received a driving conviction for a traffic offence whilst driving overseas – and this is blamed on a lack of awareness of foreign laws and road signs.
Among all drivers more than four in 10 have driven a car overseas – and close to half have encountered problems. One in 10 drove on the wrong side of the road and one in five behaved so dangerously other motorists tooted them.
Close to a quarter admit their awareness of foreign rules on the road is inadequate and one in 10 that their knowledge of road signs is poor. Yet despite this poor knowledge, more than a million** UK drivers plan to hit French roads this summer under prepared.
Worryingly, one in five drivers cannot identify a French stop sign and only a third can recognise a French sign telling them the road ahead is closed.
Close to a third of drivers think it is legal to drink and drive in France and more than half don’t realise that they are breaking French law by carrying a speed camera detector in their vehicle.
The Direct Line findings also show that in Germany, over a third of UK motorists don’t realise an on the spot fine will be issued if they run out of petrol on a German Autobahn.
Emma Holyer, Direct Line motor spokesperson said:
“Taking to the roads in a foreign country can be tricky, especially for those who are new to driving abroad, so it’s important that all drivers take some time to acquaint themselves with the rules of the roads in the country they are planning to drive in. In particular, several countries in Europe have different rules and laws to the UK so it’s important drivers make sure they’re aware of these.
“Drivers should ensure they contact us to let us know they are taking their car abroad and to take out full European comprehensive car insurance.”
National Data:
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36 per cent of drivers do not realise it is illegal to run out of petrol on the Autobahn in Germany and an on-the-spot fine will be issued
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69 per cent of drivers do not realise it is illegal to use cruise control when driving in heavy traffic in Belgium
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58 per cent of drivers do not realise it is illegal to have a speed camera detector in the car when driving in France
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48 per cent of drivers do not realise it is illegal for children under the age of five to travel in the front seat of the car when driving in Cyprus
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18 per cent of drivers do not realise it is illegal for drivers to carry a petrol can in the car when driving in Greece
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32 per cent of drivers do not realise that drink driving is against the law in France
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48 per cent of drivers do not realise it is illegal to leave a dog unattended in a parked car in Belgium
Notes to Editors:
The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line Car Insurance by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 2,147 UK adults were questioned online between 3rd to 5th July 2007. Results are weighted to be representative of the UK adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.
* There are 33,809,493 drivers in the UK (Census data) and 49 per cent have driven abroad (YouGov data) – 33,809,493 x 0.49 = 16,566,651. Of these, two per cent have received a driving conviction abroad – 16,566,651 x 0.02 = 331,333.
** There are 33,809,493 drivers in the UK (Census data) and 14 per cent of these are planning to drive abroad this year (YouGov data) – 33,809,493 x 0.14 = 4,733,329. Of these, 33 per cent are planning to drive in France – 4,733,329 x 0.33 = 1,561,998 drivers.
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For more information, please contact:
RBS Insurance Press Office
Telephone: 0208 285 8682
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Driving from the UK to Europe – how to plan the easiest route before you set off
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Safe summer driving – whether you’re on the road in the UK or abroad, be aware that there can still be hazards in the summer
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