Misc osd questions (not car related)

**stain** · 05-17-2003, 10:24 AM

1. Do we have to purchase medical insurance while traveling in Europe? Which one did/will you use? How expensive is it for two weeks?

2. What is the difference between the traffic laws in Europe countries and the US. Do they turn right on red?

3. How different is the driving style there? Is it too aggressive there?

**purush** · 05-17-2003, 10:30 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (stain @ May 17 2003,13:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1. Do we have to purchase medical insurance while traveling in Europe? Which one did/will you use? How expensive is it for two weeks?

2. What is the difference between the traffic laws in Europe countries and the US. Do they turn right on red?

3. How different is the driving style there? Is it too aggressive there?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
1. Depends upon your insurance here.   Since all countries in W. Europe have national insurance it is best to pay upfront and present a claim to your local insurance company.  Auto insurance is, of course, paid for by Volvo.

2. Being conservative helps.  You can also get a international traffic rule book from AAA.

3. Depends.  On German autobahns yes, other places not likely.

Hope that helps.
Purush

**gary** · 05-18-2003, 12:34 PM

Stain,

I haven't driven in Scandinavia, but I currently live in Germany and have driven extensively throughout Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. I have yet to experience a "right turn on red" in any of those countries. I wouldn't count on having that privilege. Wish they would enact it tho'!

I find European drivers, for the most part, to be much more disciplined and courteous while on the road. And yes, as Purush points out, Germans on the autobahn can be very aggressive - if you're in Germany on the autobahn use the left lane only to pass slower traffic in the right and you should have no problems.

Also, depending on when you're coming, keep in mind that the summer months bring out lots of cyclists, both bicycle and motorcycle. Summer months here in Germany also mean lots of farm equipment (tractors, sssslllloooowwwww tractors....) is sharing the roads with the autos. It can be a bit unnerving the first time to come up on a bicycle club of 20+ cyclists making an all day road trek. Roads here are much narrower than back home in the US.

Purush gives good advice on being conservative. You'll be in unfamiliar surroundings and the road signs will take some getting used to, so just take your time and be sensible and you'll have the experience of a lifetime. Also, keep in mind that speed limits here are posted in km, not mph - so you'll have to remember to keep an eye on the km dial on the speedometer.

Sounds daunting, but I've actually enjoyed my driving experience in Europe. Just use common sense, know your limits and the basic road rules of the countries you are visiting and you will have a grand time. Hope this helps....

**barrysharp** · 05-18-2003, 12:50 PM

Your Swedish Tourist Plates will also afford you some comfort as the native drivers will give you some leeway for being slow or hesitating at junctions etc. That is, they will not annoyed with you as quickly as they might otherwise. The Tourist Plates are VERY noticeable.

Good luck and just use common sense on the roads.

**Fairfax** · 05-18-2003, 05:27 PM

I think along with the left lane only being used to pass there are two more main things to mind. First is the use of turn signals, everyone seemed to always use them to signal their intent. Second is the car on the right has the right of way so if some ahead of you signals that they want to merge left into the lane you are in, let them in.

Relax, there are people in a hurry, not really pushy, but they are used to being let by.

Have a good time.

**Low Tide** · 05-19-2003, 07:29 AM

At the FDC, there is a stack of booklets with road signs, swedish common roadside phrases, and driving tips.

Pick one up along with the excellent map.

Driving in Sweden is much more relaxed and slow paced than in Germany... or France or Italy for that matter.

**AudiPutz** · 05-22-2003, 02:41 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (stain @ May 17 2003,10:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1. Do we have to purchase medical insurance while traveling in Europe? Which one did/will you use? How expensive is it for two weeks?

2. What is the difference between the traffic laws in Europe countries and the US. Do they turn right on red?

3. How different is the driving style there? Is it too aggressive there?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Stain,

ad 1.) Call your insurance and ask them if and how you're covered while in Europe.

ad 2.) My experience is from driving in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and I've been spending a month a year driving over there for the last 10 years. I live in CA. As others mentioned: right turn on red is a no-no, always use turn signal when changing lanes, freeway left lane is only for passing. Note that they have more cops per capita than the US, i.e. better chance to get caught. ;-)

ad 3.) In general I find driving in Europe more tiring and requiring more attentiom from the driver for several reasons. Higher speeds, narrower roads, smaller and fewer road signs. On freeways you only get one sign before an exit. If you're not familiar with the place it's easy to miss it and then the next exit is usually a lot farther than you're used to here in the US. Also I find European drivers a lot more "competitive" than those laid back yankees. :-)

**AudiPutz** · 05-22-2003, 04:09 PM

I forgot to mention 3 important additional differences not common in the US.

1. The concept of the 'main' and 'secondary' roads. The 'main' road is marked with a yellow square standing on its corner. Cars on it have the right of way. When a 'secondary' road intersects with a 'main' one there's yield sign - red triangle standing on its corner. You have to yield to all traffic on the main road and to traffic coming from the other side of the secondary road that is to your right hand side.

2. Many intersections are of circular type and if not marked otherwise the traffic on the traffic circle has the right of way. When exiting from it you have to use the blinker.

3. Unlike in the US you'll see a lot more of the 'yield' signs than the 'stop' signs. The 'stop' really means STOP, count to three and yield to everybody.

I hope this helps.

**GeorgeXC70** · 05-23-2003, 10:40 AM

Do the police enforce these rules religously there?

Will they give you a warnign once they realize your visiting and your not 100% clear on ALL the rule differences?