Brits are more accident prone across the Channel

With increasingly easy access to Europe and a motoring tour of neighbouring countries becoming the norm rather than an unusual choice for the few, road safety expert GEM Motoring Assist (GEM) is becoming increasingly concerned by the rate of accidents caused by cross-border driving.

“What used to be purely a summer holiday time pursuit is now a year round activity for many,” said GEM Chief Executive David Williams. “ We think nothing of crossing the channel on a shopping or site-seeing trip at any time of the year and with so many Brits now living abroad we regularly make the journey to visit friends or relatives; but are we ready to cope with the different driving conditions abroad and are we aware of the differing regulations that apply in almost every country around Europe?”

GEM, which used to be known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, is supporting a report published by the Association of British Insurers that warns of the dangers. GEM is also urging people to apply for a free copy of its booklet A Guide to Driving in Europe and to read it carefully, keeping it in the glove box as a reference document when travelling abroad.

“There are 45 major differences in the road laws between member states in the EU and people are just not aware of them,” said David. “It is not just a matter of ‘driving on the wrong side of the road’ that many seem to believe.”

Research shows that Britons driving in continental Europe caused more than 5,000 accidents last year. In Switzerland cross-border drivers commit half of all traffic offences and in France foreign drivers cause a quarter of all traffic offences in border areas.

Britain also suffers from the impact of drivers from the continent with European heavy goods vehicles being three times more likely to be involved in an accident than UK HGVs.

To obtain a free copy of GEM’s driving in Europe booklet visit motoringassist.com for more details.