The first fear on the road of a driving holiday is breaking down or encountering technical problems. Nearly one in three drivers (30%) fear this, according to a survey conducted by the Walloon Agency for Road Safety. “A long journey with a vehicle that is not technically in order can become a real nightmare and generate many unexpected expenses”, warns Belinda Demattia, spokesperson for the AWSR. Tires are an essential element. And must therefore be at the ideal pressure. You should also check the condition of the brakes, lights and wipers.
Still according to the AWSR survey, Walloon drivers (27%) fear, secondly, not to respect the highway code abroad. “It’s probably partly down to the fear of speed cameras. Due to the monotony of the trip over long distances, you may tend to drive faster on the highway. Therefore, it is recommended to connect your cruise control,” says Belinda Demattia. Better to check the various limitations before leaving. In Malta, it is forbidden to exceed 80 km/h on the motorway, which is the speed on French roads. In Germany, 130 km/h can be exceeded on certain motorway segments. In Switzerland and Italy, people drive with their headlights on during the day.
Recently Belgium tightened its legislation on mobile phones while driving. “In Ireland, the fine can reach €2,000 compared to €174 here. The use of earphones or headphones is prohibited. Only Bluetooth phones are allowed. The headphone ban also applies in Spain. In Poland, a pedestrian can be fined if he crosses, including on a protected passage, while using his telephone or an electronic device, ”explains the AWSR spokesperson.
Getting lost despite GPS
The third thing that bothers the Walloon the most (24%) is getting lost on the way. At the time of the generalized GPS, one can be astonished by such a result. But not everyone updates their equipment and works can disrupt the route. Equally, we find the risk of falling asleep at the wheel (24%)
The fifth most common fear (23%) is anxiety regarding properly loading one’s vehicle. “A loaded car behaves differently. It skids faster and needs a longer braking distance,” emphasizes Belinda Demattia.
The fear of having to drive at night haunts nearly one in five Walloons (19%). “This rate is high”, reacts our interlocutor. Many resign themselves to it in order to avoid traffic jams or because it is easier with children because they sleep a good part of the time.
