General Comments on the European Traffic Code

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Information Disclaimer: This is an unofficial collection of European road sign conventions and rules.Whereas every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, there may be errors and omissions.The entire risk as to results and performance of the information rests with its user.

European International Road Signs And Conventions

Introduction
Throughout, we refer to individual countries by their international (1 to 3)-letter symbol, tabulated in the vocabulary

The European countries have coordinated traffic codes. Various countries' remaining significant differences are listed in an atlas available from each European automobile club. See the following paragraph.

We discuss here first, as typical, the traffic code and road signs of Germany (D), and collect other countries' differences in Signs of other European countries See also Table of Contents (at the end of the Comments Sec. below)

Careful map reading best precedes any trip in unfamiliar areas. Attention ought to be paid to road use restrictions, traffic rules, and grade of some mountain roads. Descriptions of the latter are available in book stores.

Beneficial is familiarity with the rational notation of map scales, such as 1:1 000 000, meaning 1 cm on the map = 1 000 000 cm = 10 km in the real world. In other words, strike the last 5 places to get the 1 cm-equivalent in kilometer. Voilà! See also Conversion Table.

Counted back or forth from the decimal comma (point, in UK), numbers are stated in digital groups of three separated by space, sometimes (in D and A ) by point, or (in CH ) by ' . Except in the UK, decimals are separated by comma from the integer part and not by the point customary in USA. A number must be started with a numeral and not a point or comma.

Our emphasis, in these pages, is on differences between US and European practice and code. Comprehensive paper-backs on the traffic code are available in European book stores. Sufficient command of the language to understand the traffic signs is required under these laws. We have a special note on city parking

o	On this page, we show first our suggested 10 rules for safe travel on the European roads;
o	then follow 15 comments to expand on the rules, offering reasons and practical aspects;
o	there follows the table of contents of our web pages connected hereto - some of them showing the traffic signs, plus one page with traffic related vocabulary and the nationality designators;
o	still on this page, follows a table of stopping distances, and a conversion table for distance and weight.

o On this page, we show first our suggested 10 rules for safe travel on the European roads;

o then follow 15 comments to expand on the rules, offering reasons and practical aspects;

o there follows the table of contents of our web pages connected hereto - some of them showing the traffic signs, plus one page with traffic related vocabulary and the nationality designators;

o still on this page, follows a table of stopping distances, and a conversion table for distance and weight.

See Table of Contents (at the end of the Comments Sec. below)

Rules: Rule1, Rule 2, Rule 3, Rule 4, ..... Rule 10
Based upon our interpretation of the code, let us suggest the 10 rules following.
General Comments

Required to have with you in the car are driver's license (US or an European Führerschein), the registration (Fahrzeugschein), "parking disk" (Parkscheibe), and emergency gear consisting of warning triangle Warndreieck and first aid kit.

Certain countries honor a US driver's license only in conjunction with a certified translation (notably E, A, and eastern European countries). The internat. driving permit (I.D.P.) is an honored certified translation written in 9 languages. Particularly with a US driver license, good common sense should probably suggest to carry also an I.D.P., the US driver license being so small in size and print, and unique in format. To understand it, requires training. Most people abroad are probably mystified by such cryptic jargons as "expires 101499", "height 507", "restriction: auto trans (non-cdl)."
Be sure the insurance you carry is accepted wherever you operate a motor vehicle. Also, to carry only liability insurance is definitely insufficient. There are many driving habits that are poor, though common practice in the USA, that will automatically prompt coverage exclusion in Europe, by virtue of prior court ruling. An example is following too closely under poor visibility. Clearly, full coverage for collision seems strongly adviceable.
A valid vignette should be displayed in the windshield, when a trip is planned to, or in, CH or A. The vignette is a toll sticker, which can be purchased at the border. That is for cash. Technically, the vignettes are required only for Autobahn travel in CH, and toll road travel in A, respectively. Yet, with no vignette in the windshield, and refual to buy one, the control officer would have to decide whether the driver may be sufficiently adept at navigating exclusively off Autobahn and toll road. Also, the cash penalty for violation is indeed stiff, in both countries.
Because penalties are due on the spot, one should carry sufficient cash. In border areas, either country's cash is good, particularly the DEM, SFR, ATS, LIT, and FFR. This is so also when paying autostrada toll or automobile service in northern Italy. Credit cards are nowhere accepted in official business, and dollar notes (USD) not generally, because of gyrations in notation, and depending on the collector's volume of dollar intake, and his willingness.
Some countries require a fire extinguisher. Inquire.

Beware: In the event of car theft, when the registration paper was left in the unattended car for hours, your insurance might not indemnify when negligence is potential root cause of the authorities' inability to locate or reclaim the property. Drivers generally seem to take heed, in view of fairly open borders. Don't let your belongings become unintended car donations to thieves - be safe.
Valuables left in the unattended car may not be covered by your theft insurance. Check. The courts have ruled driver's gross negligence in the case of keys stolen from the glove box in a locked car.

Our ten rules

Rule 1: Constant alertness while driving on European roadways. Consequently, discussing any of several provisions concerning alcohol may be considered redundant. Alcohol is a taboo for the driver in many a land.
Check the vehicle before setting it into motion, and again before leaving it. Note that cars admitted to traffic in Europe sound none of the bells and whistles that US drivers are being seduced to depend upon.
Recently, the alcohol limit has been reduced to 0.05% in D.
Rule 2: Drive in the right lane, except to pass! See Exception below, under "two rules in dense traffic."
- Traffic lanes are separated by dashed white lines, same as in the USA. Yellow (in some countries orange) lines are used only for overriding white lines at road construction sites. The use of orange drums is illegal (considered unsafe).
- The lanes for two different directions may be separated by a solid white line.
- A solid white double-line means the same as its yellow counterpart in the USA; similarly so with a solid white line at one side of a dashed line.
Rule 3: Passing is allowed only at a speed "significantly" greater than that of the vehicle being passed.
Rule 4: No turning on red of a traffic light. Only in certain intersections in D is turning on red legal, where specifically so indicated. See Rule 5.
Rule 5: The rules for right of way in an intersection differ from US practice. Following is the hierarchy.

Lowest in hierarchy, i.e. when there is no regulatory traffic sign: Vehicle entering from the right has right of way. There are no 4-way stops or 3-way stops with right of way of the first to get there.
Next in hierarchy: The rule of the regulatory traffic signs. See there.
Next in hierarchy: The rule of the alternating light signals - this sequence cycle:
The signal configuration with green arrow (shown in our right-most sketch) says that right turn on red is legitimate. Such is a former East German signal, now legal in D.
Note: red and green turned off and yellow flashing demands caution. There is no flashing red.
When light signal is out, the regulatory signs apply (code requires these at places important enough for light signal).
Highest in hierarchy: Police regulating traffic by arm signals.

Rule 6: Traffic lights within town limits ( begin , end ) are mounted either overhead in the intersection (perhaps a separate light for each lane) or at its near corner at traffic's right side. They are alternating light signals with the sequence depicted in Rule 5 and show always either an arrow to each direction concerned, or bull's eye. Note that a left arrow is only a permissive sign and one must yield to oncoming traffic. There may be an additional traffic light in the far left corner and only when it shows a green left arrow has the oncoming traffic been directed to stop and yield.
- When two vehicles turn into the same street, the right-turning vehicle has the right of way over the left-turning vehicle, whether there are multiple lanes or not.
- When yellow and red show simultaneously in the sequence (see Rule 5 Item 3), the driver prepares for green by paying careful attention to the traffic. As in the USA, green permits to proceed only when the intersection is clear.
Rule 7: Before leaving the vehicle, even for short, it must be secured. That is low gear and mechanical brake set, windows up, and doors locked. Note that the Fahrzeughalter (registered responsible party - "owner") is liable for any damage the thief may cause in using your vehicle. It is recommended to lock the vehicle, when unoccupied, even at a filling station while paying inside.
Rule 8: Never overlook a traffic sign, usually posted on the right side!
Rule 9: Know by heart the standard speed limits in the country you travel. There are three to remember: within town limits (from begin ), out of town (after end ), and Autobahn . Unless posted differently, these defaults apply.
The recommended speed is 130 km/h on the German Autobahn and Kraftfahrstraßen. That is under favorable conditions.
Rule 10: Trying to interpret signs from the rear is not required. Rather, clarly required is to pay full attention to the traffic and the signs meant for one's own lane of traffic.

Comments

Constant light signals (green or red) are to limit lane traffic to the direction thus indicated.
Two rules apply in dense traffic. 1.) "Zipper Rule" (Reißverschluß) - that is feeding cars through the tight situation alternatingly between waiting columns, regardless of whose road/street priority. 2.) When more than one lane is slow, slow passing with care is legal on the right.
A stalled vehicle is to be moved as far to the right side as safe, blinker turned on, parking lights turned on at night, and warning triangle (Warndreieck) placed approximately 100 m ahead to the danger spot in a fast traffic situation, closer or at the beginning of a curve in other situations. The law requires these actions to be taken immediately following the unfortunate event.
Be familiar with the red-bordered triangle as being the International Warning sign, now accepted and used also in the USA, though few people know.
Rather than slowing a long line of cars, the law requires to pull to the side at the next safe opportunity and let faster traffic pass.
The driving side by side of motor cycles is verboten!
Though police may seem not much in evidence in most countries, beware of the hidden automatic devices installed to monitor the traffic at points with a history of accidents. The record with picture and bill may then be presented for collection to the violator's Fahrzeughalter. Traffic fines are substantial to brutal. Minor infractions, when caught by police, may require cash payment on the spot; else towing and detention till settled. Be sure to know the exact rules before operating a motor vehicle in any country and have sufficient local currency on hand. When driving in E (see Nationality ), beware of the practice that an accident may result in impounding of car and property, and detention of the driver pending trial. A bail bond often helps his release. That is according to the 1996 AAA atlas.
Observing the speed limit exactly in low speed zones, e.g. 30 km/h, would seem advisable. Expect to be monitored!
There are special rules for baby seats and securing small children. Inquire before taking along your US babyseat!
Always watch the traffic behind yourself. To strongly decelerate is illegal, except in emergencies. The writer's rule is trying to do no worse than - 2.5 m/s². See Stopping.
Of course, the distance to the vehicle in front is also required to be carefully controlled. The code suggests a distance in metre, to the car in front, of at least ¹/2 the speedometer reeding in km/h.

A vehicle must be under the driver's control at all times, as a fundamental requirement.

See also our special note on approaching certain road curves
Recommendation: practice estimating distances in metre (m)!
Code section Eyesight: Subject to testing are central vision, field of daylight vision, and sensitivity to blinding. To pass is a requirement for Fahrerlaubnis, and thereafter, whenever an eyesight question is raised. Depending on the license class, the requirements vary markedly. Following are those for Klasse 1 (motor cycle) and Klasse 3 (non-commercial use of passenger car). Central vision 0,7/0,7 - when less, corrective glasses are required. However, when less than 0,5/0,2, or single-eyed and less than 0,7, operating such vehicle is illegal, regardless of eye glasses. To quote these rational-system numbers in US conventional, 07/0,7 is approximately 20/28 OD and OF; 0,5/0,2 is approximately 20/40 OD or OF, but not both, and 20/100 OF or OD respectively; and 0,7 is 20/28 on the one eye functioning.
The roads are extraordinarily smooth and all patches levelled in with sheer perfection. The downside is an enhanced possibility of aquaplaning. On wet pavement, it may be adviceable to stay with the slower right-lane traffic. Also, watch for two water-collecting slight depressions in the pavement, formed by overweight trucks!
See also our special note on approaching certain road curves
Note:In many countries, such as CH, A, I, F, downhill traffic must yield to uphill traffic on mountain roads, where narrow, steep, or exposed. This is an actual practice also in other countries.
The maximum speed of vehicles with weight greater than 2.8 t is limited by law to that for which they are admitted to traffic, not exceeding 100 km/h. Their limit must be posted on each side and the rear, usually as decals in the format of a speed limit sign. Also, these vehicles are required to maintain, on board, a travel log and speed recorder.
Careful trip planning pays. Consider the fact that trains are faster and run hourly between many major places. Beware the dense traffic conditions in some countries Friday after noon and from Sunday noon till Monday before noon, and during holidays and school vacations. Check (click) on this international travel calendar:
Note:In Scandinavian countries, N, S, and SF, the traffic lights are sequenced somewhat differently, also among the countries. Be sure to be prepared for bad weather driving, especially in the Scandinavian winter. Be prepared to stop for snowmobiles! Though cars may technically enjoy the right of way, beware the real life situation -- sudden appearance of a snowmobile in your lane! Snow fall and slippery roads may add further gusto...
Ignore this type of sign. It is only to tell transportation engineers the maximum load a bridge can support.
Check here for some brief comments on Winter Driving

Signs and Table of Contents

`Traffic code` vocabulary

`Nationality Designators Note: the vocabulary and nationality designators are not included in the tour below (of signs) Prohibitory signs - halting, parking also to start tour all pages`

Note:the tables below are not included in the tour, quod vide

`Regulating signs Miscellaneous signs of great import Signs with special significance to safety Signs of other European countries Go back to our server http://www.travlang.com`When entering certain curves..... Stopping `distances and times at the deceleration -2.5 m/s²`Conversion `^table`

Stopping Distances and Stopping Times at -2.5 m/s²

Initial speed		Stopping distance	Stopping time
km/h	mph	m	s
40	25	36	5.4
45	28	46	6.0
50	31	52	6.6
55	34	62	7.1
60	37	72	7.7
65	40	83	8.2
70	44	95	8.8
75	47	108	9.3
80	50	121	9.9
90	56	150	11.0
100	62	182	12.1
110	68	217	13.2
120	75	256	14.3
130	81	297	15.4
140	87	341	16.6
150	93	389	17.6

Assumed and included is a response time (driver, brakes) of 1 s.
Note: The deceleration -2.5 m/s² is only typical for strong braking and whether it is in good judgment depends on conditions that only the driver can judge.
A vehicle gets decelerated -2.5 m/s², whether from braking on a horizontal surface or idling up on a 25 % grade. Also, under the same brake action, the vehicle decelerates only -1.5 m/s² on a down grade of 10 %. This makes a stopping distance of 78 m, an increase of 50 %, when compared with 52 m on the horizontal. This demonstrates the enormous hazard of a speed not properly adjusted for conditions. One can generalize as follows: x m/s² is the braking reduction one gets on a 10 x % down grade.

See also our special note on approaching certain road curves

Return to the Table of Contents

Conversion Table

1 (US statute) mile = 1.61 km
1 km = 0.621 US statute mile
1 US Gallon = 3.78 l
1 l = 0.264 US Gallon
1 kW = 1.34 HP power being quoted in kW, so is that of a motor
Mileage in GPM = (241)/(fuel consumption in l/100 km)
Fuel consumption (l/100 km) = (241)/(mileage in GPM)

Return to the Table of Contents

Some Comments on Driving under Wintry Conditions

The central European winter is known for mostly gray sky and dark nights, with lots of moisture, ice or snow on the road, whichever. Only the freeways (Autobahnen, autoroutes, autopistas, autostradas) and numbered principal through highways (Bundesstraßen, Nationalstraßen, routes nationales, carreteras mayores, stradas interregionales, stradas nationales) get to be sanded and salted. That is with less sand and salt than most people are accustomed from the US. Less salt is being used every year. In fact, there is political pressure to eliminate road salting altogether. To be at ease with genuine winter driving is expected and seems a necessary prerequisite to driving under wintry conditions. Beware of some speeders with poor judgment who do exist, unfortunately.

Last revision of this page: 25.10.00: H.F.V.

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European International Road Signs And Conventions