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16 - Driving Safely While Abroad
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
KEEP all of your attention on driving at all times – NO multi-tasking.
Don’t use your phone or any other electronic device while driving.
Slow down. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
You must know the driving laws, license requirements and driving conditions of the country you are visiting.
Always wear your seatbelts
When you rent a car first of all check all the seat belts, child seats, tires, brakes, lights, windscreen etc.
Always let someone know where you are going, who you are going with and give them an estimated arrival time at your destination and when you expect to return.
Plan your route before you set off and be sure to take a map with you. This will mean you will not have to rely upon strangers for help or direction.
Consider carrying a mobile phone with you whilst driving alone. Remember to make sure your phone is fully charged and has sufficient credit before you set off.
Be aware of your fuel gauge to ensure you have sufficient fuel for your journey.
Keep doors locked while you are driving and windows shut, especially when stopping at traffic lights.
Do not pick up hitchhikers along your route for any reason.
Avoid shortcuts along minor routes in order to save time.
As much as possible, avoid driving at night.
If a passing motorist tries to warn you of something wrong with your vehicle then do not pull-in. Wait until you have reached a garage or a busy and well-lit public area and make your checks there.
Don't tailgate, and don't let other drivers tailgate you.
Following too closely behind another vehicle may make it difficult for you to brake suddenly.
Treat other motorists with courtesy and respect.
Know and obey local traffic laws.
Use signals when appropriate.
Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing.
Assume other motorists will do something crazy, and always be prepared to avoid it.
Keep a 2-second cushion between you and the car in front of you and 4 seconds if the weather is bad.
Pull over to eat or drink. whenever necessary
Don’t attempt to retrieve items (while driving) that fall to the car floor.
Children should be always buckled in their seats.
Avoid driving when you're tired or you have taken medications that cause drowsiness
Always use extreme caution when changing lanes.
If you're in an accident, first make sure no one in the car is injured. Next, check on the passengers in the other vehicle, pedestrians and anyone else nearby to make sure they are all OK. Then:
Stay at the scene
(Leaving can result in legal consequences, like fines or additional violations)
Stay in the car
Stay calm
Wait for the Police (or ambulance) to arrive
You must be aware that some countries in the world drive on the Left-Hand side of the road. These are mostly former British colonies and Japan. It takes some practice to adjust to driving on the left-hand side for those used to driving on the right. When you do this be patient, give yourself time and do a lot of practice before entering heavy traffic like shifting the gears using your left hand and overtaking from the right side. Also remember the traffic flows clockwise in roundabouts in left-hand traffic systems.
Here are a few points to note about LEFT-hand Traffic:
All traffic sticks to the left and cars overtake from the right.
Oncoming traffic comes from the right
Right turning traffic must cross oncoming traffic
Traffic on roundabouts move clockwise
The vehicle steering wheel is on the RIGHT side!
Here are a few points to note about RIGHT-hand traffic:
All traffic sticks to the right and cars overtake from the left.
Oncoming traffic comes from the left
Left turning traffic must cross oncoming traffic
Traffic on roundabouts move anticlockwise
The vehicle steering wheel is on the LEFT side!