freetime-travel

วันศุกร์ที่ 8 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Driving in Europe

Author : Suzanne Pidduck
When considering driving in Europe, the image that comes to mind for many of us will no doubt be something like the infamous driving scene in National Lampoon's European Vacation: eternally trapped in a roundabout, surrounded by aggressive French (or Italian or British) drivers who won't let the timid Americans out.It's true that driving in a foreign country can be daunting at first, especially when you're unfamiliar with the driving rules in Europe, but driving is often a necessity for visitors renting a villa or apartment outside of the major cities.So unless you've managed to convince your companions that a full-time chauffeur is the answer to your European driving woes, you're going to need a little help. Here, for your edification, are some general guidelines about driving in Europe.DRIVER AGGRESSIONLet's talk first about "driver aggression." In whether you're driving in Italy, France, or England, drivers tend to be more assertive and quick-to-act than we are in the US. I once came across a website of a British woman who had visited America and marveled at the way everyone came to an orderly halt and waved each other forward at a four-way stop. Americans will know that this isn't always the case in the US, but it does make the point!When you start driving in Europe, you may find yourself feeling frustrated when someone "cuts you off" or fails to use their turn signal. However, because the pace of driving is faster in Europe, you've got to act more quickly. Often an opening between cars is only momentary, and if a driver takes the time to signal he'll have lost his chance.The key is not to hesitate. Don't be reckless-- use your signals, even if others don't-- but act quickly and don't question yourself. Don't be afraid to use your horn, either! It's easy to become overly cautious in a new environment, but hesitation is likely to cause you more problems than anything else.If you must drive slowly, however, be polite. When someone behind you flashes their lights, they are asking you to pull over and let them by. My advice? Do it! Being stubborn about your place on the road is considered incredibly rude, and if blinking is ineffective it will be followed by honking, cursing, or worse!ROUNDABOUTSo now let's take a look at that roundabout, most commonly encountered when driving in France. The most important thing here is to realize that cars already in the circle have the right-of-way, so you need to let them out. You'll also need to wait for a break in traffic before you "go for it" and join the flow. The great thing about roundabouts is that you can, in fact, circle them as many times as you need, so if you miss your exit the first time, it's okay.ROAD SIGNSSince the Union, European countries are now implementing a set of standardized road signs that you should be familiar with. Here are some common international road signs to watch out for while driving in Europe:A red circle with a white dash inside means NO ENTRY.
An inverted white triangle with a red border means YEILD.
An upright triangle with a red border is INFORMATIONAL. Inside there will be a fairly self explanatory symbol representing bumps, merging lanes, or other potential hazards.
A red circle with a slash on a blue background means NO PARKING.
A white circle with a red border means CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES.
If there are two cars inside a red circle, one black and one red, PASSING IS PROHIBITED.
A yellow diamond grants the RIGHT OF WAY.
A blue circle with white numbers indicates the SPEED LIMIT (in km!)
Anything with arrows arranged in a circle means ROUNDABOUT!PARKINGParking is usually not a problem in more rural or countryside areas, but finding parking in London, Paris, Rome, or another large European city can be a major ordeal. Traffic is simply horrendous, and the majority American drivers are just not prepared. My suggestion is to park in a garage on the outskirts and use local transportation within the city. You could search for a "free" parking spot, but these are few and far between. Finding one is also risky in an unfamiliar place, since most parking is restricted to locals and police are quick to give tickets. Having a rental car makes no difference: even if you try to avoid payment, they will track you down. It might be one year, or it might be longer... but they will find you!CARRY CASHWherever you're driving in Britain or France, it's a good idea to carry some cash. The reason for this is threefold: First, older gas stations may still be on a cash-only basis. Secondly, there are many toll roads, which you will need to pay for in cash. And thirdly, in many countries (France, for example) tickets are "on the spot," which means that if you get pulled over the officer is going to expect you to pay him immediately! Hopefully this doesn't happen, but it's good to be prepared.Now that you've got a leg up on driving in Europe, be bold! European drivers may seem reckless and aggressive, but in fact they're accustomed to their way of doing things. So as long as you obey the rules, pay attention, and pull over when you're asked, you should be fine.Oh, and one last note to all Americans driving in Europe: NO RIGHT TURN ON RED!Suzanne Pidduck is a veteran traveler and the founder of Rentvillas.com, an online company with more than twenty years' experience connecting you with European villa rentals and apartments for rent in Tuscany, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and other destinations throughout Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and the rest of Europe. Visit her new travel tips blog for more helpful articles!
Category : Travel-and-Leisure

วันศุกร์ที่ 25 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2551

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 20 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2551

When Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Author : Natalie Aranda

If you have been hurt in an accident and have suffered not only physical but mental pain, you should consider getting a personal injury lawyer. Instead of going through the heartache yourself, a professional personal injury lawyer could help you win the case. By using their knowledge of the law, speaking with insurance companies and doing the necessary research, it is possible to get the money you deserve. Although everyone assumes that lawyer's fees are preposterous and hefty to pay, chances are they can be realistic. While some law firms require that you pay a significant amount of money regardless of your results, the majority of personal injury attorneys ask for a contingency fee. This means that if they win the case they will get a percentage of the money you earn. In most cases this percentage still allows you to walk away with a large sum of money. If they do not win the case for you, most major fees are deducted. Therefore, the ball is really in your court.Since there are dozens upon dozens of personal injury lawyers in your area, it takes time to find a legit and affordable one. The first thing you should do is ask your friends and family about attorney's that they have used in the past. References are always great because you know people who have used them. Far too often people go to random offices, without knowing any background. This could lead to an abundance of fees, and result in a lost case. If you do not know anyone who knows a great lawyer, try consultations. By setting up meetings with these personal injury attorneys, you can get a good feeling about who they are and what they're about. For instance, if you are looking for a Boston personal injury attorney, you may want to do a Google search on the people in your area. These Boston personal injury lawyers may have reviews, ratings, or any other type of feedback on particular websites. This sort of information could be wonderful if you are trying to find a great lawyer.If you have been harmed in any way and feel that you deserve justice, you immediately need to contact a personal injury lawyer. Avoid all of the common myths surrounding attorney's and focus on your needs. You have been seriously hurt and for that reason, you absolutely are allowed to seek compensation. A personal injury lawyer will not only help you win the case, but he will do it in a respectful way. It is a good feeling to know that someone is on your side, fighting for you every inch of the way. Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer.

Category : General Law

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วันศุกร์ที่ 8 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Driving in Europe

วันศุกร์ที่ 25 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2551

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วันอาทิตย์ที่ 20 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2551

When Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

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