ABTA urges British motorists to take greater care on foreign roads

Holidaymakers have been urged to take extra precaution when driving on foreign roads following a report from the Make Roads Safe Campaign which claimed 25,000 tourists are killed on the road each year.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has issued a stark warning to British motorists driving abroad to take greater care whilst driving abroad and to familiarise themselves with local foreign road laws. Nikki White, head of destinations and sustainability at ABTA, reiterated the need for motorists to become acquainted with laws that are often completely different to motoring laws in the UK. Ms White stated:

“Many ABTA tour operators work closely with local companies providing transfers and car hire arrangements to operate appropriate safety standards and also with the Foreign Office to raise customer awareness on how to minimise potential risks as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign“.

The “Know Before You Go” campaign is an ongoing initiative from the Commonwealth and British Foreign Office which calloberates with over 400 travel industry partners to help promote advice about road safety to British travellers.

Since it was launched in 2001, the “Know Before You Go” campaign has been successful in advising travellers about simple steps they can take to minimize the chance of any potential accidents they may be involved in whilst abroad. Although the potential flaws in the scheme are that because the campaign focuses on people travelling with tour operators it alienates those travelling independently. Recognizing the flaw the ABTA is urging for both local governments and travelling individuals to take the necessary action to deter potential road accidents abroad from occurring. According to Nikki White:

“With 55% of UK holidaymakers travelling independently rather than with tour operators, action clearly needs to be taken by individual governments where required and customers research relevant local rules of the road before travelling.”

Taking its customary proactive stance, ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators have compiled a Code of Practise for transport providers, which will give comprehensive pointers on how to maximise safety on foreign roads.

For further information about the “Know Before You Go” scheme visit: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/about-kbyg-campaign/