Before you travel, better check the traffic rules in the EU

Whether it's different maximum speeds, parking bans or tolls, each country in the European Union (EU) has its own rules, some of them quite curious, so it's always useful to check the regulations before going on a trip.

In France, parking fines can be paid at “bar-tabac”, cafes licensed to sell tobacco, while in Spain there is a discount for quick payment. In Italy, too much alcohol at the wheel can, in the worst case, cause the embargo of the car.

Some special aspects and features that travellers should take into account before embarking on driving in European countries:

Tolls and traffic bans

Travellers should be informed about the toll rules in each country, even if they are just passing through.

According to the European Consumer Center, there are no more toll booths on the Autostrada Pedemontana motorway in Italy. Vehicles are electronically registered and must be paid through an application or online. Anyone who does not pay within 14 days may receive a warning and a collection procedure.

In Sweden, urban tolls are collected in the cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg. It is activated automatically as soon as the car passes through the control station and then the bill arrives in the mail.

Meanwhile, in the historical centers of some Italian cities, such as Florence or Rome, there is a ban on entry and transit at certain times, and the areas are usually monitored by video. However, if the traveler is staying in a hotel located in these areas, he can obtain a transit permit, if he requests it well in advance.

Smoking in the car

Smoking in the car can be penalized in some countries with fines, which can amount to up to several hundred euros.

In Greece, for example, smoking is prohibited if children under the age of 12 are travelling in the vehicle. In Italy, cars must be smoke-free if children or pregnant women are travelling.

In Austria, meanwhile, the prohibition applies if children under 18 years of age are on board, and in the event of a repeat offense, the amount of the fine increases considerably.

Speed limits

Anyone who exceeds the maximum speed limits in the European Union will have to appeal to their wallet to face significant payments, although special rules often apply to new drivers.

According to the German Automobile Club (ADAC), special speed limits apply in France, Italy and Croatia. The maximum allowed speeds in France are also different if the road is dry or wet.

In Austria, on the other hand, electric cars can circulate faster in some cases. Foreign drivers can also ignore the speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour on some routes. Requirement: They must have an electric car license plate. The exception of the speed limit applies, however, only to purely electric cars, not to hybrid vehicles.

Parking Violation Fines

Anyone who is not well informed about parking rules can quickly become a violator.

According to the ADAC, no parking signs in Greece with a vertical line in the center are valid in odd-numbered months, while those with two vertical lines are valid in even-numbered months. By the way, fines here are usually doubled if they are not paid within ten days.

In Spain, on the other hand, there is a 50% discount if the fine is paid within 20 days of issuance.

Those who commit a parking violation in France can pay their respective fines in the so-called “bar-tabac”, the cafés licensed to sell tobacco, in each locality. Whoever pays later will receive a more expensive fine.

The European Consumer Centre in Germany has all the information on the traffic regulations of the European Union countries on the Auto-app.eu page (in German and English) where a practical overview of travel routes is also provided.

dpa