Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Avis
(
www.avis.co.uk
)
Budget
(
www.budget.co.uk
)
Europcar
(
www.europcar.co.uk
)
Hertz
(
www.hertz.co.uk
)
Road Rules
The
Highway Code,
widely available in bookshops, details all UK road regulations. Ve-
hicles drive on the left. Front seatbelts are compulsory; if the back seat has belts, they
must be worn too. The speed limit is 30mph in built-up areas, 60mph on single carriage-
ways and 70mph on dual carriageways. Give way to your right at roundabouts (traffic
already on the roundabout has right of way). Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
It is a criminal offence to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving;
this includes while you are stopped at traffic lights, or stuck in traffic, when you can ex-
pect to be moving again at any moment.
The maximum permitted blood-alcohol level when driving is 80mg/100mL (35mg per
100mL of breath); this is slightly higher than in many other countries.
Traffic offences (illegal parking, speeding etc) usually incur a fine for which you're al-
lowed 30 to 60 days to pay. In Glasgow and Edinburgh the parking inspectors are numer-
ous and without mercy - never leave your car around the city centres without a valid park-
ing ticket, as you risk a hefty fine.
Hitching
Hitching is never entirely safe in any country and we don't recommend it. Travellers who
hitch take a small but potentially serious risk. However, many people choose to hitch, and
the advice that follows should help to make their journeys as fast and safe as possible.
Hitching is fairly easy in Scotland, except around big cities and built-up areas, where
you'll need to use public transport. Although the northwest is more difficult because
there's less traffic, waits of over two hours are unusual (except on Sunday in 'Sabbath'
areas). On some islands, where public transport is infrequent, hitching is so much a part of
getting around that local drivers may stop and offer you lifts without you even asking.
It's against the law to hitch on motorways or their immediate slip roads; make a sign
and use approach roads, nearby roundabouts or service stations.
