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Driving
in Portugal can be very different to driving in England and
this will take quite a while to get used to. Apart from
driving on the other side of the road you also have to get
to grips with the different legalities that are enforced.
Before I begin you should always remember that after 90 days
you are uninsured to drive an English car in Portugal on
English Insurance.
Whilst driving around Portugal it is absolutely essential
that you keep your eyes on the road and are concentrating
all of the time. When I tell you that the standard of
driving in Portugal is probably the worst in Europe you will
understand what I am talking about.
If you have never had the pleasure of driving in Portugal
before then please take notice of the following advice.
You will find that driving around Portugal can, for the
unwary, be a case of taking your life in your own hands, and
your passengers for that matter.
I would strongly advise that you drive carefully and be in
control at all times. When you first witness the chances
that Portuguese drivers take when they try to overtake it
will quite frankly take your breath away and when you
realise how close they travel behind you, well, to say you
will be slightly shocked would be something of an under
statement.
Always expect the unexpected on the roads of Portugal and
don't be surprised to see cars parked in the most unusual
and also the most dangerous of places. The Portuguese
drivers seem to think that as long as they have their hazard
warning lights on it doesn't matter where they decide to
park.
The standard of roads can vary greatly from being absolutely
perfect to virtually impassable and there are many narrow
roads that don't have any passing spaces which often means
that there are many long delays.
When driving in Portugal don't even think about speeding and
whatever you do don't be tempted to use your mobile phone
whilst at the wheel, the penalty is an instant fine and
please believe me when I tell you that the Portuguese police
will not mess around, they will not be interested in any
excuse that you may or may not have and you will be fined,
and an instant, on the spot fine as well.
As far as drinking and driving is concerned, don't even go
there. The legal limit is far lower than the UK [only 20mg
per 100ml maximum] so where you may have thought you could
get away with it in the UK you will most definitely not be
able to get away with it in Portugal. When you bear in mind
how cheap alcohol is here you really do have to be extremely
careful.
This can only be described as a good thing and perhaps other
countries should take notice of these lower limits which may
result in fewer accidents.
If you do get caught drink driving it is only fair to warn
you that it is often the case that you will be taken
straight to the cells at the police station and kept their
until you have to go to court.
It is noticeable that police patrols have greatly increased
over the past few years and the amount of people that are
being arrested for motoring offences and drinking driving
have increased immensely.
Seat belts do have to be worn in Portugal and it should
always be remembered that children are not allowed to travel
in the front seats if they are under the age of twelve.
The speed limits in Portugal are higher than the UK and many
experts believe that this is one of the main reasons for the
poor accident figures compared with the UK.
The speed limits in Portugal are:
Built Up areas – 31mph
Out Of Town – 56mph
Trunk roads – 62mph
Motorways -75mph
Motor Insurance is compulsory so always check that you are
adequately covered and a valid EU licence is perfectly
acceptable. |
