Survey suggests Brits make dangerous drivers abroad

Over half of Brits (59%) have driven or been driven abroad in Europe, whether on holiday or business, without making the necessary preparations for doing so, according to a survey from Saga Motor Insurance.

Almost one in seven (14%) of us don’t remember to take our insurance documents, indicating that many of us are clearly not aware of is that it is illegal in most European countries to drive without having both a driving licence and insurance documents present.

Despite over half of us driving abroad and 15% of us planning to in the future, the research suggests we experience a whole host of problems when attempting to navigate the roads in Europe. Just under a quarter (24%) find driving on the other side of the road irritating, 15% find foreign drivers exasperating and due to the length of time spent travelling 8% get annoyed with their children bickering in the back of the car. We find reading road signs and finding our way around a new country the most difficult thing (37%), and a staggering one in five (19%) find it difficult remembering the correct way round a roundabout.

Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive of Saga commented: "To limit the chances of getting into difficulty, people should plan their route before they leave and ask their passengers to navigate. Driving licences and insurance documents are compulsory for driving abroad and should be the first thing you pack."

Some of us experience a disaster before even leaving the UK, 5% of people said they had broken down en route to the airport or ferry terminal, and a further one in four (23%) have even missed a flight or ferry as a result of breaking down; without insurance and breakdown details this could be the end of a much needed holiday.

Saga Motor Insurance has produced a guide to European Motoring, which includes advice on driving regulations in various countries, checks to make before you travel and a range of recommended driving tours. People are advised to pack up to date maps before they travel or, if they have satellite navigation, check that this covers foreign roads. If it doesn’t it is worth investing in the appropriate additional CDs or software before travelling.