Travel Across Europe on Wheels! European Driving Features.
Authors / photo source: Freepik.
Summary:
- Watch the whip: European driving habits.
- From Spain to Slovakia: driving on European toll roads.
- "Caution: waiters!" and other unusual road signs in Europe.
- European parking difficulties: paid parking lots and dented bumpers.
Europe is a continent with limitless travel opportunities, excellent road services and strict enforcement of traffic rules. This is a paradise for motorists: few drivers risk violating traffic rules, because the fines are rather big, everything is automated and meets modern standards. At the same time, the mentality of drivers, the rules for driving on motorways, and even unusual road signs are changing from country to country.
Watch the whip: European driving habits.
Authors / photo source: Dennis Jarvis/Flickr.
It is generally accepted that the driving style in Europe is the most cultured and suave than anywhere else. In particular, this is due to the careful control of traffic on the roads: in some countries, even the slightest speeding is fined. So, in France, sanctions are already provided for exceeding 3 km/h. However, there are differences in each country: if some countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, are famous for their discipline on the roads and following traffic rules, then in Southern Europe, for example, in Italy or Spain, driving is more emotional. In Romania, you can even encounter unpredictable carriages on which nomadic gipsies move. There are no turn signals on them — follow the direction of the whip. The use of a klaxon in European countries is considered rude, sometimes a groundless signal is fined in Spain, Italy, etc.
In Europe there is an anecdote about the peculiarities of the national character. Differences appear in relation to the rules on the road: what in Germany is considered by drivers as a mandatory guide to action, in France is perceived only as an opportunity to show courtesy, while in Italy the same subject causes heated discussions. If in Germany you are trying to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, and at the same time the green light is on for cars, then you may be considered crazy and run a wheel over your toes. Accordingly, if you are driving, you should follow literally all the prescribed rules and be prepared that other drivers will act in the same way. If you are used to being a little naughty in your country, pick yourself up, because you can become a hindrance on the road. For example, if you drive in Germany on the autobahn, where the speed is not limited, and your permissible maximum is 100 km/h, then other drivers may not be okey about your driving style.
Switzerland has ideal roads, like a mirror, even in remote mountains. However, at the same time, the roads are neatly equipped with security cameras with meticulous accuracy every 500 m. The fine for speeding is ruthless: exceeded by 3 km/h and you have already been photographed! Speedy driving on perfectly smooth Swiss roads will not work, keep an eye on the speedometer. In addition, in order to enter Switzerland and move along its roads, you need to buy a vignette. The travel card is valid until the end of the calendar year, but they do not give a discount for the number of days or entry into the country, for example, in September, the cost is full.
From Spain to Slovakia: driving on European toll roads.
Authors / photo source: European Roads/flickr.
In Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Montenegro and Sweden, traffic is free. However, there are highways, tunnels and bridges where tolls may be charged. Toll roads have alternative free routes, but avoiding toll sections may require more mileage. In Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, you need to purchase a vignette — a special sticker that gives you the right to transit and use the country's roads. Often it is required only for motorway traffic, but not always. Toll road sections are paid extra here.
"Caution: waiters!" and other unusual road signs in Europe.
Authors / photo source: Klaas Brumann/flickr.
Most road signs in Europe do not differ much from country to country. However, there are still unique signs. For example, in Germany there is a road sign depicting frogs, its purpose is to protect the lives of these amphibians. In Norway, you can also stumble upon signs depicting animals: elk, deer, sheep, and even a polar bear. One unusual Netherlands sign is "Caution: waiters!" and another Norwegian is "Caution: trolls!". The first can be found in the old parts of the cities of the Netherlands, where the cafe is located on both sides of the roadway and the waiters often move across it. The purpose of the second sign is to remind motorists of the importance of attention on a trip, because if you lose your vigilance, you can encounter harmful trolls — characters of local folklore that symbolise evil spirits. In Greece, road signs are installed in two languages — Greek and English, but signs can only be found in the local language. In Belgium, a special sign marks areas where cruise control cannot be used.
European parking difficulties: paid parking lots and dented bumpers.
Authors / photo source: Thomas van de Weerd/flickr.
Parking traditions in Europe are not the same everywhere. In large European cities, paid parking lots are common, there are either no free parking lots, or it is very difficult to get to them. Also paid parking lots in the centre of European capitals are often overcrowded. In France, contact parking is popular. Here, pushing front and rear standing cars with bumpers is a common practice. In the same way, they save space in parking lots in Spain, Italy and beyond. In Eastern European countries, such behaviour is considered rude, local drivers prefer to drive with a whole bumper.
If you do not want to understand European traffic rules, plan gas stations and look for parking lots, it is best to book a hotel transfer. When you land, the hotel transfer will already be waiting in the parking lot of the airport, no need to waste time searching for and arranging a rental. The driver will know the time at which you need to be picked up from the airport and will arrive in advance. You will be taken along the best route, avoiding traffic jams and busy streets. Intui travel will arrange the trip in advance, you will be met by hotel transfer and taken to the hotel or address without any travel hassle.
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