As the school holidays loom from the end of this week, if you’re thinking of taking your car over to the continent via ferry or picking up a rental car after touching down in a European airport, make sure your road trip adventure is as safe as possible.
About 53% of Brits have driven abroad at some point in their lives – but with British drivers three times more likely to get into road accidents abroad, a better grasp of European road signs can only be a good thing.
Maybe it’s the holiday excitement triggering a lapse in concentration, an unfamiliarity with European road laws, or unknown road signs causing confusion? There can be a lot to think about while driving on the other side of the road, so perhaps it’s time for a little pre-trip training course?
With help from the road surfacing experts at Instarmac, let’s take a look at some of the most commonly misunderstood road signs in Europe.
Beware! Frogs!
This German warning sign is intended to make drivers aware of migrating amphibians in the local area. So no, you aren’t at risk of a sudden toad attack. That being said, it may be wise to slow down and keep an eye on the road. You may also see a version of this sign on some UK roads where toads and frogs cross at certain times of the year.
Alternate route, start and end
Do you enjoy spending a lifetime in traffic? Of course not, no one does. These useful road signs don’t indicate a hazard, instead they suggest an alternate route to avoid instances of congestion. The first sign indicates the start of an alternate route, whereas the sign with three diagonal scores indicates the end of an alternate route.
Snow chains required
While the sign may look a bit Mad Max-ish, snow chains (or tyre chains as they are also known) are required on certain EU member country driving routes. These help increase your vehicle’s grip on ice or snow, avoiding dangerous over and understeering.
Beware! Polar bear!
Slightly more intimidating than the amphibian warning, these animal crossing signs in Norway mean business. There isn’t much to say about this one that your fight or flight response wouldn’t say for you. Just go steady, keep a watchful eye on the road and hold off from pulling over for a bathroom break.
Beware! Dock!
Unless you’ve rented James Bond’s subaquatic Lotus Esprit, you’ll want to pay attention to this one. This Spanish road sign indicates a dock nearby, prompting unsuspecting drivers to pay closer attention to their surroundings. Thanks for the heads up!
Beware! Gorgeous scenery!
A pleasant surprise for the road tripper, Spain and other EU countries use this classy road sign to make drivers aware of a nearby spot with beautiful scenery. Keep your eyes peeled or pull over to safely research the scenery in question.
These signs aren’t to be missed – or more accurately, the scenery isn’t.
Right of way
Used in several EU countries, this sign tells road users that they currently have the right of way. Remembering this sign in particular could be the difference between a lovely trip out and a nasty crash, so keep your eyes peeled.
Need a rest?
A road sign you’ll be overjoyed to see if you’ve been needing a toilet break – this sign indicates a rest area nearby for drivers, similar to a service station sign you’d find on a UK motorway.
Low beams ahead!
Important for both your safety and to avoid a fine, these road signs tell drivers that their beams must be set to low. This is to prevent accidental blinding of drivers in the opposite lane, helping to prevent a collision.
Beware! Moose!
This road sign warns road users of crossing moose in the area. Many foreign visitors underestimate this sign, but roaming moose aren’t to be trifled with. Moose are huge, standing between 7 – 8 feet tall and weighing up to 700kg.
That’s enough to write off your car and then some.
Railway crossing nearby
A sign you’re likely to encounter at least once in your travels, this sign warns drivers that there is a railway crossing coming up on your route. Identify the tracks ahead of time and don’t rush to beat the barriers.
Getting stuck on a crossing should not be in your holiday itinerary.
Steep descent ahead!
It’s best not to overthink this one. This French road sign indicates a steep descent ahead, but the ‘10%’ often throws people off – even though similar signs can be seen on steep hills in the UK!
The 10% simply refers to the angle of the decline. It does not refer to car weight, speed or any other metric or restriction.
Nick Holmes, Technical Training Manager at Instarmac, said, “It is vital that we familiarise ourselves with road signs, markings and driving laws of countries we aren’t native to. A quick refresher can go a long way in keeping ourselves and other road users safe.
“Even the seemingly random road signs were issued by the government authority for a reason: to keep road users safe. Understanding how we should react is crucial for a holiday road trip without hiccups.”
