Page 20 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

18 BACK ROADS GERMANY

Road Conditions admire the views. Parks and areas
Most roads in Germany are well with nature trails also make good
surfaced and usually well marked. picnic stops.
However, the Bundesstrassen, or
state roads, do vary in quality. In Breakdown and Accident
the north and west, and the touring Procedures
areas of the Rhine Valley, Black If you have a problem on the
Forest and Bavaria, the roads are Autobahn, you can use one of the
well paved and in good condition. yellow pillars with emergency
The well-established network of buttons located along the road to Above Colourful Alpine walking map
motorways allows you to travel to call for help. In case of a breakdown of Garmisch-Partenkirschen
most regions within a few hours. or accident, move the car safely off
Regular maintenance work on the the road, turn on hazard lights and take down details from any
roads can generate problems, put out a warning triangle; it is independent witnesses. It is also
especially during the compulsory to carry wise to take photographs of any
busy holiday season one and use it. Car damage to the vehicle, as well as
from July to mid- hire companies will the scene of the accident.
September. German- normally supply a
speaking drivers can number to call in case Parking
listen to the radio for of an emergency or Lack of parking space can be a
regular updates on the Parking and access problems with the problem in cities. Using one of the
traffic situation or obtain road signs vehicle. Usually they multi-storey car parks (Parkhaus)
information on traffic use the assistance of is a convenient option, although
conditions by visiting the the ADAC (see p17); the motoring they are expensive. A green or
website www.verkehrsinfo.de. club will send a breakdown service. red sign in front of the car park will
In case of an accident that involves indicate whether there is an empty
Taking a Break another vehicle, you will need to parking space. You pay for the
If you are feeling tired, or lost, it is exchange the insurance details, number of hours that you park the
a good idea to pull over and take name, address and car registration car. Parking in city centres is often
a break. There are numerous sign- details with the other parties limited to 2 to 3 hours. Payment can
posted rest areas along motorways involved, and if possible, jointly be made with coins or (rarely) credit
and major roads where you can determine the cause of the accident. card to an automatic parking-ticket
park the car, stretch your legs and In the case of a serious accident, machine, which will issue receipts
consult a map. Such places also the police are quick to arrive at the that are placed on the inside of the
often have clean public facilities. scene and provide support. For windscreen. There are also parking
Motorways also have service stations minor accidents, the police do not meters with a timer that allow
at regular intervals, where you can always appear, but you can call the parking for up to 2 hours. In many
stop for fuel and simple German emergency number 112 to ask for large cities, there are “Park and Ride”
food such as Wiener Schnitzel and assistance if you have problems areas outside the centre. It is possible
Currywurst. On minor roads, and in with the other party involved in the to park your car here to take
remote areas, petrol stations may accident. Circumstances can be advantage of the well-developed
be few and far between. confusing at the time of an accident, public transport system.
The scenic landscape can so do not admit fault, accept liability It is never worth leaving your
sometimes be a distraction for or give money to any party, which car in a prohibited area – a traffic
drivers, so it is best to stop and is illegal in Germany. If possible, warden will impose a fine and

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