BBC facts about driving abroad?
Discussion
Watching tv and the don't get done get dom type show was on. It stated 5 things to be aware of when driving abroad some of which make sense some which are barking.
So:
1) Don't carry a bike on the back of your car in Portugal it illegal!
2) In Spain one way systems have alternate days for which side of the road you can park on
3) You must switch off your ignition in Belgium when at a junction it's illegal not to???
4) Cyprus don't allow you to eat whilst driving
5) In Belarus it's illegal to have a dirty car!!!!
Any other odd rules when driving abroad have you come across?
So:
1) Don't carry a bike on the back of your car in Portugal it illegal!
2) In Spain one way systems have alternate days for which side of the road you can park on
3) You must switch off your ignition in Belgium when at a junction it's illegal not to???
4) Cyprus don't allow you to eat whilst driving
5) In Belarus it's illegal to have a dirty car!!!!
Any other odd rules when driving abroad have you come across?
Used to catch me out when driving in the USA, If waiting to turn right at a traffic light junction, providing there is no approaching traffic you are allowed to make the turn on a Red Light! At first I used to just sit there waiting for the lights to go green before turning.
However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
Yea, my hire car did ;(fatboy18 said:
Used to catch me out when driving in the USA, If waiting to turn right at a traffic light junction, providing there is no approaching traffic you are allowed to make the turn on a Red Light! At first I used to just sit there waiting for the lights to go green before turning.
However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
you cant do it in every state though !!!However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
Graham said:
fatboy18 said:
Used to catch me out when driving in the USA, If waiting to turn right at a traffic light junction, providing there is no approaching traffic you are allowed to make the turn on a Red Light! At first I used to just sit there waiting for the lights to go green before turning.
However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
you cant do it in every state though !!!However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
Debaser said:
Priorité à droite
Dumbest thing ever... only encountered it once in either Sablet or Seguret. Cars on the main road stopping to let me out of a junction...Edit: It was Sablet. And the wine was crap and nothing was open for lunch
Stupid village.Edited by HarryFlatters on Wednesday 14th January 13:31
HarryFlatters said:
Debaser said:
Priorité à droite
Dumbest thing ever... only encountered it once in either Sablet or Seguret. Cars on the main road stopping to let me out of a junction...Sadly one PH member found out to his and his friends cost
Dreadful law
I remember walking back to my hire car in the USA to find a very friendly (read not very friendly at all) police officer waiting for me - He gave me a warning for reversing into a parking bay, because the car had no front plate and they can't get the vehicle details without having to walk around the vehicle to read the rear plate.
fatboy18 said:
HarryFlatters said:
Debaser said:
Priorité à droite
Dumbest thing ever... only encountered it once in either Sablet or Seguret. Cars on the main road stopping to let me out of a junction...Sadly one PH member found out to his and his friends cost
Dreadful law
fatboy18 said:
HarryFlatters said:
Debaser said:
Priorité à droite
Dumbest thing ever... only encountered it once in either Sablet or Seguret. Cars on the main road stopping to let me out of a junction...Sadly one PH member found out to his and his friends cost
Dreadful law
fatboy18 said:
Used to catch me out when driving in the USA, If waiting to turn right at a traffic light junction, providing there is no approaching traffic you are allowed to make the turn on a Red Light! At first I used to just sit there waiting for the lights to go green before turning.
However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
Especially when you cannot at some junctions and some states!However if you do go through the Red light and hit something, its your fault!
CooperS said:
1) Don't carry a bike on the back of your car in Portugal it illegal!
That should be law everywhere, its moronic beyond comprehension to drive around blocking all your lights with something that sticks out the sides and back... I realise its not supposed to do any of those things but almost everyone does it wrong (and illegally with no repeater lights/number plate)MTFU and put them on the roof, if your weak and short- tough :-)
In Hungary its law that everyone drive under the influence of 9pints... or at least that's what it seems like, worse place I've ever driven (bar Eygpt but can't call that "driving")
No left turn at some traffic light controlled 4 way junctions in Michigan. You have to drive through the junction, then exit on the slip road on the right, follow the curved road around and end up back at the junction so you can now go straight through onto what was the left turn when you first went through the junction..... This does not count for every junction, and is called a "Michigan Left". Also left run on flashing red, overhead lights....
In Italy, giving way to traffic joining the roundabouts was always novel.
In Italy, giving way to traffic joining the roundabouts was always novel.
bishbosh66 said:
No left turn at some traffic light controlled 4 way junctions in Michigan. You have to drive through the junction, then exit on the slip road on the right, follow the curved road around and end up back at the junction so you can now go straight through onto what was the left turn when you first went through the junction..... This does not count for every junction, and is called a "Michigan Left". Also left run on flashing red, overhead lights....
In Italy, giving way to traffic joining the roundabouts was always novel.
In Italy, drive a Ferrari and the traffic laws don't apply to you.In Italy, giving way to traffic joining the roundabouts was always novel.
Driving in France.
The rules concerning use of horns I found surprising to say the least!
On steep gradients, vehicles travelling downhill must give way to vehicles travelling uphill.
Overtaking trams in motion is normally permitted on the right only; it is permitted on the left in one way streets, if there is not enough space on the right.
Warning of approach
The horn may only be used in order to give necessary warning to other road users.
Between sunset and sunrise, warning must be given by flashing passing lights. The horn may be used only in cases of absolute necessity.
In all built-up areas, use of the horn is prohibited except in cases of immediate danger.
The use of multi-tone horns, sirens and whistles is prohibited.
Holders of EU driving licences exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licences confiscated on the spot by the police.
French law prohibits drivers from devices capable of detecting speed cameras and warning drivers of their location. Penalties can include fines of up to €1,500 and confiscation of the device and vehicle.
Penalties:
On-the-spot fines
Visiting motorists should be warned that some French police authorities are authorised to impose and collect fines on the spot up to 375 EUR from drivers who violate traffic regulations.
If the offence committed is not likely to entail the suspension of the driving licence or a prison sentence, the motorist can pay a reduced fine within the next 3 days. If you would like to contest the fine, you must apply for a court hearing within 30 days.
If the offence committed is serious and likely to entail a heavy fine and the suspension of the driving licence or a prison sentence, a motorist who is not resident in France and has no employment there must deposit a guarantee. The police may hold his vehicle until payment is made. This payment can be in Euros, by cheque drawn on a French bank or by travellers' cheques.
Minimum and maximum fines
Standard fines are classified into 4 categories according to the gravity of the offence. They can be reduced if payment is made within 15 days (in the case of postal payments, 3 days if paid in person) or increased if payment is not made within 45 days.
Confiscation of vehicles
In some cases, instead of, or in addition to, a fine or prison sentence, the vehicle can be confiscated. The main offences for which it can be applied are:
exceeding the speed limit by over 40 km/h
repeated offence of driving under the influence of alcohol (0.40 mg per litre of breath)
hit and run
refusal to stop when requested
driving without licence
driving a vehicle with a licence of a category which does not cover that vehicle
driving without insurance
In such a case, the vehicle becomes the property of the French government.
Parking:
Parking regulations
Stopping and parking are permitted on the right-hand side only of roads with two lanes of traffic; in one-way streets, stopping and parking are permitted on both sides if the street is wide enough.
Restrictions and limitations are indicated by road signs or by yellow lines on the kerb. A continuous yellow line indicates that stopping and parking are prohibited. A broken yellow line indicates that parking is prohibited.
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