If you are driving abroad this summer take care! French Gendarmes show no mercy to tourists, Germans won't let you insult them down and the Spanish insist on spare spectacles. The roads are good quality and safe, but look out for tolls and be prepared for seriously expensive fuel costs... In fact quite a few of our Continental neighbours have some quirky laws on their statute books, and most of them are far better at enforcement than the casual Irish.

In Germany, for example, it is a statutory offence to make obscene or derogatory gestures while driving, so watch your road rage tendencies. In Austria tourist access to some areas may be restricted when air pollution levels get too high, and they will not let your car through. In Spain, drivers who wear prescription glasses must carry a spare pair. One strange one is a Greek idea. Police in Athens have been known to enforce parking laws by impounding the car's number plates - literally unscrewing them and taking them away to the police station.

In several countries it is compulsory to carry a warning triangle and a first aid kit, and of course you will always need an IRL sticker. If you are staying in the EU then you do not need an international driving permit. However it is still worth having one as some hire companies insist on them - they are issued by the AA and the cost is €5.08. Driving Tolls in France Continental driving holidays remain very popular. The French Autoroute network is excellent, with some 5,000 miles of top quality motorway networking the entire country. But be prepared to pay heavy toll charges. Most motorways carry tolls except for sections close to large towns and cities. The tolled routes are marked with the sign 'Péage'.

On the majority of toll motorways a travel ticket is issued on entry and the toll is paid on leaving the motorway and at occasional intermediate points. On some motorways the toll collection is automatic: have the correct change ready to throw into the collecting basket. Toll booths will not change traveller's cheques and not all will accept credit cards, so have cash on hand. The amount of the toll varies depending on the route. For example the drive along the A13 from Le Havre to Paris - a distance of 127 miles - will set you back €8.20. Paris to Bordeaux, a run of about 365 miles, costs €42.80. If you are towing a caravan the charge is about 50% higher.

You don't have to stick to the Autoroutes, however. The more scenic tourists routes are signposted in green or yellow and are toll-free, so a more leisurely and much cheaper journey is an option. One word of warning - the French are extremely serious about enforcing their road traffic laws, especially with respect to speeding. Anyone used to the gentle admonitions of a kindly Garda could be in for a shock. The French penalties are severe and the local gendarmarie make no exception for visitors.

Insurance

Insurance is really the one thing that cannot be overlooked. Breakdown insurance is a must. Breaking down abroad is usually inconvenient and always costly. For example, it can cost as much as €3,000 to recover a car from Spain to Ireland. French labour charges can be €35 per hour. To put it mildly, you don't need headaches of that sort while on holiday.