| Are you trying to decide where to vacation this | | | | driving practices in your mind before you ever hit |
| summer? For millions of people, summer vacation | | | | the roads. |
| time means visiting a foreign country. There are | | | | Vacationers from the US sometimes mistakenly |
| numerous countries that can provide a new and | | | | think that they will be driving on the right-hand |
| exciting vacation experience for you no matter | | | | side of the street when they rent a car in any |
| where you're from. | | | | country other than the UK. Plenty of countries |
| Spain is a particularly popular destination. UK and | | | | outside of the UK observe a left-hand drive rule, |
| European vacationers have been enjoying this | | | | and it's very important to be aware of this rule |
| spectacular country for centuries. American | | | | before traveling abroad. |
| tourists have only just begun to realize the charm | | | | Most notably, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, several |
| of Spanish vacations. | | | | African countries, Thailand, Australia, and Hong |
| Spain hosts more than 50 million tourists each | | | | Kong drive on the left-hand side of the street. |
| year. While most of them simply visit the tourist | | | | Traveling between two locations which drive on |
| traps, more and more tourists are realizing the | | | | opposite sides of the street, such as when driving |
| reasons for exploring the country even further. | | | | from England to France, can be intimidating. |
| There are truly some hidden pockets of paradise | | | | However, the crossover procedures at borders |
| in Spain if one cares to find them. | | | | are relatively straightforward. The challenge |
| The appeal of Spain draws visitors from many | | | | remains in remembering to drive on the opposite |
| various countries. They flock to the warm climate | | | | side. In some countries, such as Australia, signs |
| to enjoy the beaches, relax with a drink, and let | | | | reminding foreign motorists to remain in the |
| all of their cares melt away. However, in order to | | | | left-hand lane line the roads. |
| fully enjoy a vacation one needs to be prepared | | | | Although it can seem overwhelmingly difficult to |
| for any challenges that may arise. | | | | drive in a way opposite to which you are |
| For UK and Australian visitors especially, the | | | | accustomed, most travelers handle the challenge |
| roadways are a major source of danger. Spain | | | | with no problems. It's important to remain vigilant, |
| requires drivers to drive on the right-hand side of | | | | however, and keep the traffic laws in mind |
| the street, so tourists from left-hand driving | | | | whenever you are behind the wheel. Reduce |
| countries may have difficulties adjusting. Driving a | | | | distractions in your rental car and place your |
| rental car may prove to be a tricky proposition. | | | | entire focus on driving to avoid absentminded |
| It's thought that approximately one third of British | | | | mistakes. |
| tourists have driven on the wrong side of the | | | | And don't let your concentration down while |
| street when visiting another country. This is, | | | | driving after a few days of the experience - this |
| obviously, a dangerous mistake to make. A British | | | | is when drivers are most likely to revert back to |
| tourist is twice as likely to die on the streets | | | | their home country procedures - particularly |
| when abroad as in their own home country. | | | | dangerous are junctions where you need to turn |
| To avoid driving on the wrong side of the street, | | | | left or right, sometimes crossing to the other side |
| pre-vacation preparation is necessary. Reading the | | | | of the road to get to the correct side. A relaxed |
| laws and regulations valid at your destination is a | | | | driver who thinks he or she has worked it all out |
| good place to start. Familiarize yourself with the | | | | only needs a little lapse of concentration to do the |
| laws and, if it helps, visualize how you will drive | | | | wrong thing - with potentially fatal consequences. |
| once in your rental car. You may feel silly, but | | | | Relax when you reach your destination - not |
| visualizing will help you to cement the correct | | | | before! |