We´ve all seen it….and some of us have done it!!

The Spanish hire car, being driven by a British tourist on holiday in Spain….going around a roundabout the wrong way. Let´s face it, it´s standard fare in certain areas of Spain, particularly in August!

Another popular trick (which, let´s be honest, you WOULDN´T try on the A1) is to slow down to a virtual standstill on the dual carriageway to admire the view of the Mediterranean (or to check the map for the next exit).If I´m being absolutely honest, my first time driving experience in Spain wasn´t a pretty sight either – I nearly flattened a cyclist as I emerged from Malaga airport many years ago. My excuse? I couldn’t judge my distances properly from the other side of the car!

Of course, now I am so accustomed to driving in Spain that it´s when I return back to the UK that the problems really start – encroaching onto roundabouts is my current favourite, much to the horror of my elderly parents – they have reputations to uphold in the village, don´t you know!

We all have our tales to tell of driving overseas, and not all of them are funny. One particular difference that is worth noting is the habit in Spain of flashing your headlights. In the UK, this would normally mean ´After you sir, I´m happy to hold back”. In Spain, flashing your headlights means ´Watch out, I´m coming through!” So when you are on the motorway on the way from the airport to your Spanish holiday home this summer and somebody is driving down the fast lane flashing his lights, this ISN´T an invitation to pull out – it´s actually a warning to stay exactly where you are.

My advice is to do a little research before you take your next holiday in Spain. This is just one of many habits that could easily fool a tourist, and could lead to something very nasty and unnecessary taking place.