Holiday drivers urged to check foreign laws

Travellers planning to catch ferries to France and other foreign countries for a driving holiday this year have been reminded to check local road laws before embarking on their trip.

According to research carried out by car insurance provider Sheilas' Wheels, nearly 3.4 million motorists plan to set off on a driving holiday in Europe this summer.

Ferries to France look set to be the most popular travel option, with 83 per cent of people driving abroad planning to head to the country, according to the survey.

A third (33 per cent) of the people polled said they thought that driving laws in European countries are the same as in the UK, while 32 per cent admitted they did not have a warning triangle in their car, which is a legal requirement in France, Belgium and Germany.

Jacky Brown, a spokeswoman for Sheilas' Wheels, said: "It's … vital that motorists do their research beforehand by making sure they understand the basic rules and regulations for driving on foreign roads.

"Being fully prepared by planning their journeys, carrying the essential equipment and giving their car a maintenance check before setting off is also a must - especially as a breakdown with kids in the back of the car is enough to put a dampener on any holiday."

Travellers planning to head to France for their driving holiday this year can use LD Lines' Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry service or catch ferries to Calais from Dover with either P&O Ferries or Seafrance.

Written by Andrew Smith