MOTORWAY DRIVING IN EUROPE

AUTOBAHNS

Speeds on the German autobahns may shock you at your first encounter. To avoid an accident within 30 min. of commencing your journey, check your rear view mirror continually. It doesn't matter how fast you are travelling, there will be someone else will be coming up behind you in something faster.

Also bear in mind that you have to look that much further ahead and anticipate more to compensate for your speed.

Having said this, many autobahns are congested and speed limited these days. Anyone used to travelling daily on the UK’s congested yet rapid motorway network is unlikely to be fazed by the experience of autobahn driving.

AUTOROUTES

Unlike the German Autoroutes, these motorway sections are speed limited. They are also divided up into sections with toll boths at either end- with timed tickets. I am told that it is not unheard of for the French police to check the times on the tickets to calculate average speeds- so speeders beware!

AUTOSTRADA

Similar to the French motorways insofar as the routes are broken up into sections and a toll charged. These motorways are also speed governed- not that that appears to bother the Italians too much...! Use of rear view mirrors isn't the best, so as usual on fast roads be wary of other road users.