Brits' booze cruise blunders

Over half (57 per cent) of an estimated 2.3 million motorists planning to cross the channel to stock up on cheap alcohol this Christmas could be driving illegally, with over one in six (15 per cent) making risky assumptions about their car insurance.

The research, conducted by esure car insurance, shows that many British motorists planning a ‘booze cruise' in the next few weeks are not only unprepared but uninformed. An estimated 3.6 million motorists admit to not knowing the speed limits on foreign roads with 84 per cent unaware that the speed limit on a motorway in France is 130km/h. Hefty fines of up to €1,500 could be incurred if caught speeding on a French road - making a money-saving ‘booze cruise' rather expensive.

A third of those polled (33 per cent) wrongly think that the driving rules and regulations in the UK are the same as those in other European countries. Consequently over half (57 per cent) of motorists drive illegally in Europe by not carrying a warning triangle in their car - one of the compulsory requirements when driving in France, Belgium and Germany - as well as having headlamp adjustments and displaying a G.B. sticker for non Euro-plates.

Motorists who think that their level of insurance cover whilst driving on foreign soil will be the same as in the UK could be in for a nasty surprise. Many policies only offer the minimum level of cover required to drive in that country - usually only third party cover. With one in ten motorists (10 per cent) also sustaining damage to their car whilst abroad - be it a collision, bump or a damaged windscreen - motorists must call their insurer to get their cover extended to fully comprehensive and flag-up that they'd be taking their car into Europe, in case they end up making a claim.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "It's important for motorists who are planning a booze cruise to make sure they read up on the different motoring rules and regulations beforehand to help avoid being issued with any unwanted fines across the channel.

"When planning to take a car to Europe, it is also crucial for motorists to call their insurer and tell them that they want to extend their level of cover for driving abroad."

esure has compiled some useful tips for driving abroad:

Make sure you have the insurance cover you need for travelling abroad - always call your insurer to see if you need to extend your cover before you go

Carry some identification with you whilst travelling as you may be asked for it, if stopped by the police. Never leave it in the car though, take it with you at all times

Carry out basic car maintenance before you go. For example, make sure your oil and water are topped up and your tyres have enough tread

Remember normal safety precautions such as wearing seatbelts in the front and rear and don't use your mobile phone whilst driving

Drive sensibly and carefully as speeding and other traffic offences are often subject to on-the-spot fines when abroad

Blood alcohol levels are stricter than in the UK (0.5mg/ml in France, Belgium and Germany, rather than 0.8mg/ml in the UK. If you're driving, then don't drink

Contact your breakdown cover provider to get your policy extended to cover you whilst abroad