A common sight on European highways is drivers who stick to the left lane without overtaking. It may seem harmless to some, but it is not only frustrating to others, but also dangerous.
For those planning to head towards Croatia for a holiday and explore the country via roads, this mistake is actually punished by law, even if the right lanes are free. Misuse of the left lane can lead to tourists facing heavy fines and driving record penalties.
According to Croatia's Road Traffic Safety Act, vehicles on highways must use far-right lanes unless traffic blocks them. The left lane should only be used to pass, Hrvatski Autoklub (HAK) said.
Once the operation is complete, the driver must return to the right lane.
The law also strictly prohibits dangerous behavior, such as weaving between lanes, overtaking via emergency lanes, flashing headlights and putting pressure on other drivers.
Maintaining a safe distance is also very important, so you can safely stop if necessary.
Failing to follow these rules can be extremely expensive for tourists, especially for those who want to keep costs down by providing their own transportation. The driver misused the face in the left lane and received a fine of 260 euros (£219) and one penalty point on his driving record.
This lane discipline rule has also been introduced in the UK. The lane's pig herd and tailgating constitute a crime of careless driving with a police officer who is authorized to hand out a scene fine of £100 and three penalty points.
This Croatian law is one of many important European driving methods that Brits should recognize as we approach tourist season.
Last year, Motormatch warned that for those planning a road trip, “UK drivers need to fully prepare the equipment they need when driving in Europe. Items like warning triangles, highly visible jackets and first aid kits are essential.”
Also, British people should clearly display British stickers on their vehicles if their license plate has a Union flag, Euro symbol, national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, or GB identifiers with only numbers and letters. Experts warned: “In Europe, if Britt drives without the correct sticker, he will be fined 140 euros or 120 pounds on the continent.
“All drivers need to double-check their documents before heading abroad. A valid driver's license, car insurance details and vehicle registration documents are always required. Any of these can disrupt your plans significantly and lead to fines of up to 750 euros.
