Europe's worst drivers

Results of a poll conducted by TripAdvisor have revealed that many travelers visiting the European mainland think Italians are the worst drivers, closely followed by the French. Over 35% of those questioned thought that contending with the locals' driving style was the biggest challenge of driving abroad. The Greeks came third on the list of bad motorists. The UK was voted seventh, ahead of Turkey, Spain and Portugal.

Increasing numbers of vacationers are enjoying the freedom a rental car gives them to explore the countries they visit. But are we preparing enough for what might be a significantly different driving experience to the one we have at home? Not if this survey is an accurate reflection. The results also showed that a scary 14% of travelers never brush up on local driving regulations before heading for the airport. Some basic research would take minutes, and could make a foreign road trip a whole lot safer.

That 35% of people who said they were nervous about driving abroad could get behind the wheel with confidence if they knew exactly what to expect. You can find guides to many of the most popular destinations on the Auto Europe website, including comprehensive rules of the road sections. There is also plenty of information available online about driving cultures and customs.