The Perfect Road Trip

THE perfect road trip involves three people, covers 190 miles and is accompanied by rock music, according to new research by British Airways. To celebrate the airline’s new route to the South African coastal city of #Durban; the gateway to national parks, African plains and safaris, travellers were also asked to name the celebrity they would most like to see in the passenger seat, with James Corden topping the poll (11 per cent), followed by Tom Hanks (9 per cent) and Stephen Fry (9 per cent). 

To be considered a road trip, the journey needs to be at least 190 miles long and last three hours and 42 minutes and the ideal drive should take place in a VW camper van (16 per cent), Range Rover (14 per cent) or Ford Mustang (8 per cent). There needs to be at least one toilet stop every 100 miles, good weather and a reliable sat nav, yet one in three Brits (33 per cent) said getting lost is the fun part of a road trip. 

The study also found that the music played on a road trip is more important than the destination, but your road trip companions topped the list as the most important factor with 62 per cent, closely followed by the scenery outside (60 per cent). 

More than half (57 per cent) of Brits like the idea of a ‘fly drive’ holiday and 35 per cent would happily drive in a foreign country, even if they hadn’t before. 

However, almost half (48 per cent) worry they won’t be able to get used to driving on the other side of the road and 39 per cent worry they won’t be able to read or understand the road signs. 


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Drive Safe Campaign launched in New Zealand

TOURISM New Zealand will again work with major agencies this summer to inform international visitors about the challenges of #driving in #NewZealand. 

A major road safety campaign to help visitors understand and prepare for driving in New Zealand is now underway. Launching the new campaign, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss said: “Summer is on its way and so are many international visitors. New Zealand roads can be challenging, particularly in and around some of our most popular tourist spots.”

The new road safety campaign focuses on the Visiting Drivers Project areas of Otago, Southland and the West Coast, and uses billboards, posters, digital advertising and social media to spread road safety messages.

The messages emphasise that New Zealand’s roads are different from what overseas drivers are used to. The campaign encourages them to adjust their driving when necessary.

The messages are:

• NZ roads can be narrow, winding and steep. Allow extra time.
• Journeys may take longer than you think. Allow extra time.
• Save overtaking for long, clear, straight roads.
• Taking photos? Pull over somewhere safe.
• Remember to keep left.

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Watch out for hidden car hire costs

MORE than one-in-five people who have hired a car say they had found damage on the vehicle which was not highlighted on the check-out sheet, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by iCarhireinsurance.com.

Any damage to a hire car, even if it isn’t the fault of their hirer, can lead to the renter having to pay the first part of the cost of repair, up to the excess amount, which can be as much as £1,200.

The survey found that while half of hire car drivers always check their car for damage before they drive it, and almost a quarter have taken a picture of the hire car to prove it was damaged before they used it, only 38% check the condition of the wheels and tyres, despite the fact that these items can account for approximately one-in-five charges for minor damage made at the rental desk. Claims for damage to wheels and tyres, can cost from £120 to £400.

It isn’t just on pick-up that drivers need to be vigilant. A quarter have had to return their hire car without seeing a hire car representative. With 7% of renters believing they have been wrongly accused of damaging a rental car, not getting it signed off by a company representative is a risky move that could end up being costly.

Excess insurance can be bought to protect drivers from paying for damage, but the rental company policies cost up to £17 a day, five times more expensive than a policy from iCarhireinsurance.com (from £2.99 a day). Rental company policies also often exclude damage to windows, tyres, and undercarriages – areas that are most likely to be damaged. iCarhireinsurance.com policies automatically include these vulnerable areas as standard.

‘When you pick up a hire car always check it thoroughly,’ says Ernesto Suarez, founder and CEO of iCarhireinsurance.com. ‘Make sure that you note down every mark, no matter how insignificant on the check-out sheet, including damage and scuffs to the wheels. We hear of many people getting charged for minor damage, which they say was on the car when they picked it up, but which they didn’t mark on the paperwork. In the modern world of vehicle rental, this can be tantamount to writing a blank cheque to the rental desk.’

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Motorists in the dark on driving abroad

GOODYEAR TYRES has published an online guide for UK drivers planning to take to roads across the Channel this summer. It’s done so as research suggests that 50% of British drivers say they check driving rules and regulations before they leave, and one in ten believe – wrongly – that driving laws are the same in every European country. 

Kate Rock, PR & Corporate Communications manager at Goodyear Tyres, explains: ‘Several changes have been made to driving laws across Europe over the past few years, so it’s essential that motorists who are planning on driving abroad ensure they have all the compulsory or recommended equipment.

‘In France, for example, drivers are required to carry a self-test breathalyzer and it’s illegal to drive with a satnav that shows the whereabouts of speed cameras.

‘Before drivers head off, we advise they familiarize themselves with the rules of the road and ensure they have all the correct documents, including insurance and European breakdown cover.

For advice on driving in Europe, motorists can visit Goodyear’s blog at Hug the Roads: www.hugtheroads.com/road-ready-europe

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Road toll guide to Europe

ACCORDING to research published by GreenFlag, 46 percent of the British population are more likely to go on a #drivingholiday in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, or Germany than in any other European country. Ahead of the European short-break season which sees travellers visiting Europe for the likes of Oktoberfest and Christmas markets, Airport Parking and Hotels has created a guide highlighting the cost of some of the busiest toll routes in #Europe.

The research highlights some of the most popular motorways in Europe and the charges that drivers will face when driving through the busiest routes in each country. Routes include Calais to Paris in France, Lisbon to Porto, and Milan to Rome. It also highlights different payment options available and the stipulations each toll route might have.

Of the 18 countries researched, six were found to operate a Highway Vignette system, which is an anti-congestion measure put in place to promote off-peak travel. Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands use this road pricing, which is based on the period of time the driver will be travelling. The remaining 12 countries, including France, Greece, and Spain, operate a road toll method in which the price is calculated on the distance travelled.

Drivers are advised to carry cash when driving on Europe’s motorways, as only six out of the 18 countries researched offered drivers the option of paying via credit card, though may not accept all brands.

Drivers strapped for cash should be cautious when driving on toll roads in France and Italy: a return journey for a 2-axle vehicle from Paris to Marseille can cost up to £78, while a return journey from Rome to Milan can cost from £58 in toll road charges.

Motorists who wish to avoid toll roads all-together should head to Iceland, Luxembourg, or Monaco where there are currently no tolls fees on any motorway.

ww.aph.com/tollcosts

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Driving abroad? Know the rules!

BRITISH motorists made almost six million overseas trips by car last year, according to Sainsbury’s Bank, which is urging motorists to brush up on the driving laws of the countries in which they are plan to drive.

France was by far the most popular destination for those travelling by car last year with 3.4 million visits from UK residents. The Republic of Ireland and Belgium complete the top three.

Tom Thomson, of Sainsbury’s Bank Car Insurance said: ‘Driving abroad is an entirely different experience to driving in the UK in terms of both road regulations and road etiquette. Before leaving the country, it’s vital that drivers brush up on local motoring knowledge and check with their insurer that they are covered overseas.’

It is compulsory in France to carry a warning triangle and a breathalyser in the car at all times. In many European countries, a reflective jacket, first aid kit, and headlamp converters for driving at night are now required, and in Spain, motorists who wear glasses are advised to carry a spare pair with them if it is noted on their licence.

Those planning to hire a car should also be aware that driving licence paper counterparts have now been replaced with a code that can be generated by the DVLA website, at https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Sainsbury’s Bank car insurance tips for driving overseas: 

• Local laws: Find out exactly what equipment you will need to carry with you in order to comply with local motoring laws. This might include anything from a first aid kit to a warning triangle and will differ from country to country. 
• Documentation: Check what documentation you will need – some countries such as Turkey and Morocco require you to carry a Green Card/International Motor Insurance Certificate. It’s always advisable to carry basic licence and insurance documents, plus the V5 registration document, in your vehicle with you. 
• Car hire: Anyone planning to hire a car will need a DVLA-generated code. 
• Maintenance: Do some basic checks on your car to help minimise the risk of breakdowns or accidents, e.g. check tyre pressures, oil, brake fluid and water levels. 
• Insurance: Call your insurer before you leave to check whether you have comprehensive cover abroad and, if required, upgrade your policy to include this. 
• Route: Plan your route in advance and carry a map and/or satnav. 
• Take your time: Set a realistic timescale and take plenty of breaks. Driving on busy and unfamiliar roads abroad can be stressful, so consider planning your route to avoid the centre of major cities if this is a concern. 
• Footwear: Avoid driving in flip-flops or open-backed sandals. Not only is this dangerous, but police have been known to fine people for this, especially in holiday areas. 

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Tips for safe driving … in France

#FRANCE is a beautiful country in which to drive but, says Swinton Insurance, be sure to remember these six tips:

1. Foot off the gas – The French take speeding very seriously and speed limits are implemented rigorously. Carrying speed detecting devices is illegal, too, so switch off your SAT NAV alerts or you could lose your licence and your car. 
2. Cruise, don’t booze – Forget having a drink if you’re intending to get behind the wheel. French laws are much stricter than those in Britain … so much so that you will be expected to carry your own breathalyzer. 
3. Be smart – Obey the rules of the road and enjoy your break in peace, but commit a traffic violation and, be warned, you could face an on-the-spot of fine of up to €375 (£268). If you are fined, make sure you get an official receipt. 
4. Calling for help – Use the bright orange telephone boxes that are dotted along the motorway and toll roads (roughly every 2KM/1.2 miles) to contact the local breakdown recovery service. 
5. Carry a hi-vis jacket – Most UK drivers will find this odd, but when in France you must carry a high visibility jacket in the car – and not in the boot – in case you need to leave your vehicle at any point. Also make sure you have a warning triangle. 
6. Right is right – It seems obvious, but remember that people drive on the right-hand side of the road in France, as they do in rest of continental Europe. Keep your eyes peeled for where traffic is coming from, and approach junctions with caution. 

What if things go wrong? Here are some phrases that might come in handy in an emergency:

• Do you speak English? – Parlez-vous Anglais? 
• I am lost! – Je suis perdu! 
• Can you send me a mechanic / breakdown van? – Pouvez-vous m’envoyez quelqu’un / une dépanneuse? 
• My engine has overheated – Le moteur a surchauffé. 
• I have lost my car keys - J’ai perdu mes clés de voiture 
• My engine doesn’t sound right – Mon moteur fait un drôle de bruit 
• I have a flat battery – Ma batterie est à plat 
• Car – voiture 
• I’m out of fuel – J’ai plus d’essence 
• My brakes aren’t working properly – J’ai un problème de freins 
• I have a flat tyre – J’ai un pneu à plat/ J’ai un pneu crevé 
• I’ve put the wrong fuel in my car – Je me suis trompé de carburant/ d’essence 

For more about the rules and regs of driving in France – and to download a guide to take with you – go to http://www.swinton.co.uk/car-insurance/guides/driving-abroad/france/

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