Driving holiday tips: be prepared for holiday by car part 2

Rules, fines and obligations
Sometimes different traffic rules apply abroad than those we know in India. For example, did you know that as a glasses-wearing driver in Spain, you should always have spare glasses with you? And the amounts for fines are sometimes much higher than in India. if you press the accelerator too hard, resulting in a criminal case and disqualification from driving. And anyone driving around with winter tires in Italy in the summer period risks a fine of at least € 419 and a maximum of € 1,682. To avoid unnecessary fines or difficult situations, it is advisable to read up briefly before departure about the biggest differences in foreign traffic.

Riding in the mountains
As soon as you cross the Indian border, the landscape quickly changes. Hills provide an adjustment in your driving style. Where in India it is best to drive in fifth gear at 80 kilometers per hour, you do not do any good in a hilly landscape. You have to tour in the mountains. If you hit the gas, the car should still be able to accelerate. If this is not possible, switch back. Otherwise the engine will be overloaded and can overheat — especially if the car is at, on or over the maximum loading weight. For driving downhill, a low gear is the best choice. When you take your foot off the gas, the car has to slow down on its own. Continuously pressing the brakes is not necessary and this prevents damage to the braking system.

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Know what car insurance covers
You can prepare so well… anyone can have a car breakdown or an accident. Therefore, before you leave, find out what the car insurance covers in case you drive damage abroad. Also check whether you are insured for roadside assistance and how to act in a breakdown situation. That is great if you get stuck along the road with a breakdown. You can find out in which countries your car insurance provides cover on the green card. Abroad, that card is proof that your car is insured. The green card usually contains the contact details of the party that you must call in case of damage or breakdown. Keep in mind that not every car damage abroad is covered. Do you want to take out a different car insurance policy before departure? Then you can compare car insurance policies at Pricewise to find the best cover at the lowest premium. Are you traveling with a caravan? Then remember that you have to take out caravan insurance for this.

Breakdown situations
You have your car properly checked, everything neatly packed and you go with car insurance of which you know what it covers. Unfortunately, this does not mean that you are fully protected against car trouble while on holiday. Know what can happen to you. What are common breakdown situations on the road? An empty battery, the car not starting, broken lamps and a flat tire. It also happens more than once that people leave their car keys in the ignition and lock the car. Break open the car? No, just make sure you bring a spare key — and don’t leave it in the car. Furthermore, problems with the brakes occur, refueling with the wrong fueland problems with the fluids. Of course there are also the more extreme variants; the collisions. Inevitably, with so many people (driving long stretches) on the road.

Roadside assistance needed
You have a breakdown on the road… what do you do? Be the first to turn on your hazard lights. Then make sure you stand in a safe place. Drive or move your car to the emergency lane or side of the road, and place a safety triangle behind the car so that other drivers see you. If you need roadside assistance, call your roadside assistance provider. He will then ensure that help is sent. You can take out breakdown assistance insurance in five different ways: via the car insurance company (this is not possible with all insurers), via the importer or the car company, via a breakdown service, via the travel insurance (in that case you are only insured for breakdown assistance in abroad and not in the India) or you opt for roadside assistance on demand. Use automotive repair management software to take care of your car.

Roadside assistance on demand works via an app and you only pay if you need roadside assistance. You can also choose to resolve the breakdown with a local party. However, you are a lot more expensive without roadside assistance insurance. And one more important thing; make sure you don’t accidentally take out double insurance for roadside assistance. This can happen if you do not know (anymore) that you already have additional insurance through your car insurance.

Replacement vehicle
Do you need a different car because of the damage? Then, depending on the car insurance you have taken out, you can get replacement transport reimbursed from the insurance. A liability insurance pays anything here, but you have a comprehensive insurance or limited-hull insura g, it may be that the cost of the replacement vehicle will be reimbursed. Check this with the car insurance company. Do you only have third party insurance, but have taken out travel insurance? Check whether the replacement transport is (partly) reimbursed.

Avoid black Saturdays
Black Saturday . Certainly not a party, those endless traffic jams to your holiday destination. Where this term was previously only used for the busiest Saturdays in France, it is now used as a name for the Saturdays with the worst traffic in Europe. If you are going to drive, try to take this into account. Know that days from Thursday to Sunday are especially busy. Except in Germany; Thursday and Sunday are the best days to be on the road. The dates for Black Saturdays vary by country. Because although the crowds are mainly caused by the many holidaymakers, there are also a number of holidays abroad that cause you to be delayed.

So, are you going on a summer vacation by car? Just check beforehand when the black Saturdays or other busiest traffic days are in the countries you will be driving through. Try to avoid these days. That can save you some travel hours. The busiest days on the French motorways are likely to be 3 and 10 August this year.

Provide entertainment in the car
And then another very important thing: the longer the ride, the greater the chance that you will get tired of sitting and driving. Try to keep it fun for as long as possible. How? Make sure you have some food and drink on the go so no one can get cranky from hunger or thirst. Of course you can, and should, stop at a gas station or roadside restaurant along the way, but having something to hand certainly won’t hurt. Also provide the necessary music or choose the radio; this often gives you something to talk about or think about, as the DJs often come up with fun facts. And fortunately nowadays we have our tablets and smartphones, with which we could enjoy ourselves for hours. Download a movie, games or an e-book in advance. Or bring a real book. And of course you can also opt for the old-fashioned games, such as ‘I see I see what you don’t see’, counting the number of cars in a specific color or naming car brands. Also quite a bit of fun for adults. And also think of the driver. Stop often enough to refuel it, entertain this one, but … don’t distract too much!

Do you know any great tips for fun in the car? And would you like to share your experiences on the way to the car holiday? We would love to read it in the comments you can leave below!