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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Drivers are risking fines costing THOUSANDS when they drive in Europe this summer
As thousands of British motorists prepare to drive across mainland Europe this summer, experts have warned of three common mistakes that could result in costly fines. It comes after a national survey by The Motor Ombudsman revealed over 70 per cent of UK drivers are unaware of some mandatory road requirements when driving to Spain and France. The research shows over two thirds of motorists aged 17 to 28 will be driving on the right side of the road for the first time - and almost one in three admit they don't feel confident doing so. Ranking as the least self-assured region is Scotland, with over half of first-time drivers confessing they don't feel ready to drive on the right-hand side, while a whopping 79 per cent of Londoners maintain a more positive stance. The data highlighted some costly gaps in knowledge, as 59 per cent of drivers admitted they did not know it's mandatory in many European countries to carry emergency equipment, such as high-vis jackets and warning triangles, while driving. In France, drivers who cannot produce these items on request can incur a fine of up to €750. Additionally, 30 per cent of respondents said they were unaware of sat-navs, speed camera detectors and similar apps are illegal in some European countries. In Spain, drivers risk a fine of up to €6,000 if they're caught with such apps installed on their devices, and in France, their vehicles could potentially get confiscated. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of survey participants admitted being either unsure or uninformed of environment rules regarding pre-purchased windscreen stickers for low-emission zones. In Germany, this can result in a fine of up to €80, and in France, a fine of up to €135. One Leeds-based driver, Will, found out the hard way after driving abroad with a pre-purchased sticker while driving abroad. He said: 'The signage was a bit unfamiliar, and I didn't know the routes well. On one occasion, I forgot to display the correct low-emission zone sticker on the windscreen when driving through a city. 'Not long after, I received a fine for that oversight - a mistake that could have been avoided with a bit more preparation. Will admitted that had he taken a 'few minutes' to familiarise himself with some of the routes he would be travelling on, he would have avoided the fine. To help Brits stay one step ahead and avoid unnecessary fines on European roads this summer, The Motor Ombudsman, which recently launched an online hub packed with advice, has issued some essential tips. They urge British drivers to pack their UK identifier sticker, as GB stickers are no longer accepted in Europe. Many European cities also require motorists to display an official low-emission sticker, so it's best to order these well in advance. Finally, motorists are advised to double-check tyre pressure units as most air machines on the continent use BAR instead of PSI - a car's manual or door frame should always show recommended levels. Will Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director at The Motor Ombudsman, said: 'Driving in Europe offers real freedom and flexibility, but it's clear from the research that some drivers are setting off unprepared.' Will added: 'From speed limits to mandatory equipment and emission zone rules, there's a lot to consider - and ignoring the details can quickly turn a relaxing break into an expensive headache.'
Auto Express
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Almost half of UK drivers break the speed limit… and that's an improvement
Almost half of UK drivers are suspected of breaking the speed limit when driving in 30mph zones, according to the latest estimates from the Department for Transport (DfT). And while that may sound shocking, it's actually an improvement over the last few years. The Government doesn't seem to have much faith in the UK public's ability to adhere to speed limits, as official figures estimate that 43 per cent of drivers will speed in 30mph zones when there's free-flowing traffic and no speed cameras. Advertisement - Article continues below Although undeniably alarming, it's actually a significant step forward from 2017, when more than half of drivers (51 per cent) were thought to be straying over the limit in these circumstances. However, things are even worse when you consider 20mph zones, as the Government reckons the amount of people going faster than the law permits jumps up to around three-quarters (76 per cent), with 10 per cent of drivers exceeding the limit by more than 10mph. These figures haven't been pulled out of thin air; the DfT has created these estimates by using data collected from Automatic Traffic Counters (ATCs) – the discreet strips of wire you sometimes see stretched across the road. These obtain information such as the speed and volume of traffic and are typically placed away from bends and junctions to gather an accurate picture of how traffic is progressing. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Speeding isn't exclusive to slower roads, either; 44 per cent of drivers are thought to exceed the limit on the motorway, although interestingly, this drops to just nine per cent in national speed limit zones on A and B roads. It's no surprise, then, that in 2024, a total of 205,522 drivers were found guilty of a speeding offence – an increase of 87 per cent since 2011 – with more than 1.8 million attending a speed awareness course last year. The most cited reason for speeding by offenders, according to the RAC's 2024 Report on Motoring, is that they were matching the speeds of others. However, a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs Council told Auto Express: 'Driving in excess of the speed limit is a conscious decision. You can choose not to do it and many lives can be saved as a result. 'Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured on our roads each year as a result of excessive speed and for each one of those people there will be multiple friends, families and communities affected, so the true impact is almost impossible to quantify.' Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal Octopus' 'Power Pack Bundle' includes a leased BYD, a wallbox charger and charging all for less than £300 per month New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels The new Skoda Epic will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the brand's ever-expanding SUV range and is set to offer plenty of space despite its compact …
