Author Topic: Driving through Western Europe  (Read 875 times)

Humph Warden Bennett

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5013
Driving through Western Europe
« on: January 09, 2018, 02:52:50 PM »
Hi all

I am looking here for some friendly advice. I am thinking of taking the family on a driving tour, driving from Dover to the In Laws in Romania, can anybody give some advice on driving through Western Europe?

Humph Warden Bennett

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5013
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2018, 04:24:05 PM »
Hi all

I am looking here for some friendly advice. I am thinking of taking the family on a driving tour, driving from Dover to the In Laws in Romania, can anybody give some advice on driving through Western Europe?

Humph Warden Bennett

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5013
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2018, 04:48:48 PM »
Come on now, somebody must have driven though Europe!

Or are you closet UKIP supporters?

Harrowby Hall

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5038
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2018, 05:13:13 PM »
OK - don't drive on the left-hand side of the road.

But seriously, I drive quite a lot in France so I cannot really comment about other countries. But it is easy to forget that you drive on the right after a stop (for a meal, shopping. overnight etc) if there are no other cues (road markings, other cars etc).

Perhaps the most important thing to consider is that motorists in other countries may be taught to drive in different ways. I find that many French motorists use roundabouts differently from British drivers - they frequently drive around the perimeter of the roundabout instead of moving to the inner lane and then taking a line out at their turning. If you do the latter then you may impeded when you come to your turning. I find tailgating common, too. I think that trying to anticipate other drivers' actions is recommended.

I believe that in many countries there is a general rule of giving way to vehicles entering your road from the right-hand side unless there are specific signs giving you priority. This may be especially the case in towns where "side streets" have priority over apparently more important roads.

Another thing to check is signage - direction signs may not be quite where you expect them to be.

It may be mandatory to carry at least one reflective jacket in the car. It should be in the passenger cabin - not the boot. It may also be necessary to have a warning triangle. In France you are supposed to have a breathalyser - though it is not an offence not to have one.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2018, 05:17:12 PM by Harrowby Hall »
Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

Humph Warden Bennett

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5013
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2018, 11:39:39 AM »
Thanks for advice, HH :-)

FTR a correspondent on another site has advised mt drive through Belgium into Germany, and not to enter France.

Rhiannon

  • Guest
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2018, 12:38:36 PM »
A friend of mine used to be a roadie and he drove all over Europe, and he says that the one place that defeated him every time was Paris. He said you just drive into it and see where it decides to spit you out again.

Harrowby Hall

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5038
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2018, 01:06:18 PM »
The good thing about Paris is that it usually totally unnecessary to go there. You need only enter Paris if you want to go there.

My driving experiences of Paris are similar to those of Rhiannon's friend.
Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

Walter

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4463
Re: Driving through Western Europe
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2018, 10:54:29 PM »
Hi all

I am looking here for some friendly advice. I am thinking of taking the family on a driving tour, driving from Dover to the In Laws in Romania, can anybody give some advice on driving through Western Europe?
get yourself a decent road atlas . Use it in conjunction with your satnav .
Satnav doesn't give you a perspective on your location , especially if you need to make detours !
Good luck !