2023-08-13 13:27:01
Although Spain is one of the favorite destinations for holidays, more and more people are choosing a route by car through Europe as their summer destination.
For this reason it is essential to know the traffic regulations in each of the countries, they risk receiving sanctions such as large fines, penalty points and even driving bans for breaking the law.
Roads across Europe can be tricky to navigate and have a high volume of speed cameras, so it’s crucial to stick to the speed limit and approach the unknown with caution.
Fines imposed abroad cannot be ignored, despite the mistaken belief shared by a large part of the population. Ignoring a fine imposed in another country means that soon after you return home, it will appear in the mailbox and will probably come with a surcharge.
A regulation promoted by the European Union allows all the countries of the Union to exchange their data to, through the license plate, locate the driver or owner of the vehicle with which the offense has been committed and communicate the sanction in writing. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), almost two million Spaniards traveled to other countries during the month of April, so the number of sanctions could be considerable after the summer holidays.
The most common violations are related to speeding, using a prohibited lane, running a red light or not wearing a seat belt. “Penalties for parking in unauthorized places or for not paying the corresponding fee in regulated parking areas are also very common,” adds Jaime Requeijo, general director of EasyPark Spain. Most of these sanctions are caused by “ignorance of the traffic regulations of each country,” explains Requeijo, “so using applications with international coverage helps drivers avoid unpleasant surprises during their vacations.”
The European Commission offers drivers from member countries a free app which includes the main road safety standards.
Rules to keep in mind
In most European countries, drivers must stay on the right hand side of the road. path. The exceptions to this rule are the United Kingdom, Malta, Cyprus and Ireland.
It is also important to remember that for most countries in Europe, the legal minimum driving age is 18 years. Countries with different rules are the UK, Germany and Italy, where the minimum driving age is 17.
Smokers should be aware of European countries that enforce laws against smoking in the car with passengers, including minors. Countries include Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Italy, France, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria.
Similarly, there are certain countries that restrict the use of the horn. In Finland, drivers only honk if they are in immediate danger. In Cyprus, drivers must restrict the use of the horn near hospitals and residential areas. In Vienna, honking in hospitals is generally also prohibited.
Also make sure you have your bank card handy and also charge in the correct currency as some toll booths only accept coins.
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