Tips for driving in Germany
Thursday, 01 Jun 2006 09:54
Motorists should familiarise themselves with local road laws
Thousands of Brits are planning to drive to Germany to watch the World Cup this summer, but many of them will be taking unnecessary risks.
Half of UK motorists are happy to drive on foreign roads despite uncertainty as to whether they are properly insured, according to research by motor insurer Esure.
And a similar number are unaware of requirements for driving abroad, such as the need to carry a warning triangle in their car when driving in France, Belgium and Germany, as well as having headlamp adjustments and a GB sticker.
Many are not familiar with speed limits - 43 per cent did not know that the speed limit on a town road in Belgium is 50 km/h – despite the chance they could be hit with hefty on-the-spot fines if caught.
To help football fans planning to travel to Germany, Esure has prepared the following handy hints.
Make sure your car is covered for travelling abroad. Call your insurer before you go to extend cover.
Always carry identification with you while travelling as you may be asked for it if stopped by the police. Do not leave it in the car, carry it at all times.
Carry out basic car maintenance before you go, such as making sure oil and water are topped up, tyres have enough tread, and brakes are not wearing thin.
Drive sensibly as speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.
Do not drink and drive. Blood-alcohol levels are stricter than in the UK – 0.5mg/ml in France, Belgium, and Germany rather than 0.8mg/ml in the UK.
Useful phrases for fans driving to the World Cup
| English | French | German |
How do I get to xxxx? | Comment puis-je me rendre à xxx? | Wie komme ich zu xxx? | | How far is it to xxxxxx? | C'est loin pour aller à xxx? | Wie weit ist es zu xxx? |
| I have a flat tyre, where can I get it mended? | Ma roue est à plat, où puis-je la faire réparer? | Ich habe eine Reifenpanne. Wo kannich ihn reparieren? |
| Where is the nearest petrol station? | Où est la station d'essence la plus proche? | Wo ist die nächste Tankstelle? |
| Please may I take your name/insurance details/address/telephone number? | Puis-je prendre vos coordonnées: nom/assurance/adresse/numéro de téléphone? | Wie is Ihr name/versicherungs details/adresse und telefornummer? |
| How do I call an ambulance/police? | Comment puis-je contacter l'ambulance/la police? | Wie rufe ich den krankenwagen/die polizei? |
| I thought I was only doing 50km/h officer! | Je croyais rouler à cinquante km/h, monsieur l'agent! | Ich glaubte nur an fünfzig km/h prostunde fahren! |
XXX