Know EU rules of the road

20th July 2007

While the alcohol limit for UK drivers could be set for a reduction, most European countries are already at the 50mg/100ml level. And that’s worth bearing in mind if you are planning to drive abroad this summer. Our table shows the legal limits in major European holiday hotspots – and the penalties for ignoring them.

But do you know about other traffic rules abroad? How fast are you allowed to go? Where are you permitted to speak on the phone when driving? Our table also picks out the most important regulations you’ll need to be aware of, and the fines for breaking them.

Only Britain, Ireland and Luxembourg now allow the higher 80mg/100ml blood alcohol level, compared with most other European nations’ limit of 50mg/100ml. In Norway and Poland, the maximum is 20mg, while in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary it is zero.

And speeding abroad can lead to tough on-the-spot fines, or worse. Germany is the only European Union country without a general speed limit on motorways. The maximum speed in Norway is 55mph, while in Sweden it’s 68mph, in Belgium 75mph and in Poland 80mph. Go more than 12mph too fast in Norway, and it will cost you at least £270.