Brits not preparing enough to drive abroad

As the holiday season draws near, a new study from AXA Insurance suggests that millions of Brits driving abroad this summer could risk breaking the law because of a lack of preparation.

The survey estimates that, in all, around ten million British motorists will drive abroad this summer. And, of those, roughly a third of them will “inadvertently break the law through a lack of knowledge or preparation before they leave”.

Driving around the Arc De Triomphe can be fun!

The research showed that a staggering 51% of holidaymakers don’t bother checking the law of the land they’re visiting before hitting the road, while two-thirds won’t check they have the necessary documentation with them.

In addition, just over a quarter (27%) of people surveyed were less concerned about speed limits overseas while 18% admitted they took drink driving less seriously on holiday than they do at home!

On top of that, 7% said they were less likely to use their seatbelts, with a further 4% more likely to use a mobile when driving abroad.

Given those results, it is hardly surprising that 10% of Brits admitted they had accidents while driving abroad and Sarah Vaughan, motor director at AXA insurance, said “A combination of inexperience and disregard for the laws of driving abroad is a recipe for disaster for British drivers. It is shocking to see so many people willing to take risks that they wouldn’t take at home such as speeding and drink driving.

“Add to this unfamiliar roads, driving on the other side of the road and unknown road signs and holidaymakers could find their holiday ends in tragedy – made even worse for those who have wrongly assumed they have adequate insurance in place.

“We would urge all drivers to prepare properly before heading away and to drive with more, not less, care than they would at home.”

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