1. Denmark
Checking under a car before you drive off is something that is normally only done by drivers who have reason to think a bomb might be there – police officers in 1970s Northern Ireland, for instance.
However, according to car rental firm Avis, all Danish drivers have to check under the car before they even start the car. This practice is apparently not to check for bombs, but to see if there’s a person “underneath”.
Checking under a car before you drive off is something that is normally only done by drivers who have reason to think a bomb might be there – police officers in 1970s Northern Ireland, for instance.
However, according to car rental firm Avis, all Danish drivers have to check under the car before they even start the car. This practice is apparently not to check for bombs, but to see if there’s a person “underneath”.
2. Spain
It always pays to know what day of the month it is in Spain. Some Spanish cities insist that cars must be parked on the side of the road where houses bear uneven numbers on uneven days of the month and on the side of even numbers on even days.
It always pays to know what day of the month it is in Spain. Some Spanish cities insist that cars must be parked on the side of the road where houses bear uneven numbers on uneven days of the month and on the side of even numbers on even days.
3. Switzerland
The Swiss like to do things differently to the rest of the world; a fact illustrated by their driving practices. Anyone cycling in Switzerland, whether a Swiss national or a tourist, needs to purchase a yearly cycle insurance sticker.
The Swiss like to do things differently to the rest of the world; a fact illustrated by their driving practices. Anyone cycling in Switzerland, whether a Swiss national or a tourist, needs to purchase a yearly cycle insurance sticker.
4. Belgium
While the Swiss take quite a hard-line approach to cyclists, Belgian traffic lawmakers have a more relaxed attitude. In certain one-way streets, cyclists are allowed to travel in either direction “if indicated by a traffic sign”.
While the Swiss take quite a hard-line approach to cyclists, Belgian traffic lawmakers have a more relaxed attitude. In certain one-way streets, cyclists are allowed to travel in either direction “if indicated by a traffic sign”.
5. Italy
The phrase “When in Rome…” acts as a useful reminder that foreign drivers need to change their mind-set when driving on Italian roads. If you are driving outside a built-up area in Italy during the day you must use dipped headlights and then there are the laws regarding pets in cars. The Italian traffic police are fine about you carrying one pet in your car but if you have any more then you must equip your car with cages or netting in the rear.
Oh, and one more thing: in Italian cities you must park in the direction of the traffic.
The phrase “When in Rome…” acts as a useful reminder that foreign drivers need to change their mind-set when driving on Italian roads. If you are driving outside a built-up area in Italy during the day you must use dipped headlights and then there are the laws regarding pets in cars. The Italian traffic police are fine about you carrying one pet in your car but if you have any more then you must equip your car with cages or netting in the rear.
Oh, and one more thing: in Italian cities you must park in the direction of the traffic.
6. Cyprus
When driving in Cyprus for the first time it is a good idea to stick a piece of paper with the words ‘food, drink and car horns’ to your dashboard. This will serve as a reminder that eating or drinking anything while driving in Cyprus is illegal. You are also prohibited from using your car horn near hospitals. Unless there is an emergency, horns should not be used at any times in residential areas.
And don’t forget to pay attention to the position of the Cypriot sun – vehicle lights must be deployed between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
When driving in Cyprus for the first time it is a good idea to stick a piece of paper with the words ‘food, drink and car horns’ to your dashboard. This will serve as a reminder that eating or drinking anything while driving in Cyprus is illegal. You are also prohibited from using your car horn near hospitals. Unless there is an emergency, horns should not be used at any times in residential areas.
And don’t forget to pay attention to the position of the Cypriot sun – vehicle lights must be deployed between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
7. Greece
Greek police really do have a zero tolerance to illegally-parked vehicles; they have the power to confiscate the number plates of illegally-parked vehicles and apparently they’re not afraid to use it!
Greek police really do have a zero tolerance to illegally-parked vehicles; they have the power to confiscate the number plates of illegally-parked vehicles and apparently they’re not afraid to use it!
8. France
From 1 st July 2012, anyone driving in France must be able to produce a valid breathalyser if challenged by a gendarme. And if a French driver flashes their lights at you, they’re not inviting you to ‘go first’ but reminding you that THEY have right of way.
From 1 st July 2012, anyone driving in France must be able to produce a valid breathalyser if challenged by a gendarme. And if a French driver flashes their lights at you, they’re not inviting you to ‘go first’ but reminding you that THEY have right of way.
9. Austria
If you drive into the centre of Vienna you might well see a road sign with a picture of a bugle with a red line across it. It means that you can’t use your car horn.
If you drive into the centre of Vienna you might well see a road sign with a picture of a bugle with a red line across it. It means that you can’t use your car horn.
10. The United States
California certainly has a reputation for unusual driving laws. Women driving on Californian roads are prohibited from doing so while wearing a dressing gown. Which is stranger: the fact that anyone would want to / the thought that a law should exist banning it or the idea that the law only applies to women?
Answers in a coment please!
California certainly has a reputation for unusual driving laws. Women driving on Californian roads are prohibited from doing so while wearing a dressing gown. Which is stranger: the fact that anyone would want to / the thought that a law should exist banning it or the idea that the law only applies to women?
Answers in a coment please!
No comments:
Post a Comment