Page 23 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

Driving in Germany 21

Left Road gritter clearing snow from the road Right Taxis parked in the old town centre, Landshut, Bavaria
credit card to claim CDW, but check conditions. In other words, fines DIRECTORY
carefully with your credit card can be levied for not enough
company beforehand to make sure windshield cleansing fluid or use MOTORCYCLES
they will cover your trip abroad, and of the wrong sort of tyres. Bring AdMo Tours
be prepared to show proof of cover. plenty of warm clothes, a blanket, www.admo-tours.com
food and water during winter
Driving in Winter travel in case of major delays on DISABLED DRIVERS
If driving through Germany during the Autobahn, or if travelling Federal Ministry of Transport,
the winter, you should buy or rent under hazardous conditions in Building and Urban Affairs
+ 49 (030) 18 300 3060
chains (if there is heavy snow) or at mountainous areas. Always reduce
least the essential winter tyres. From your speed in adverse conditions, CAR HIRE
December to March, roads in as you will need a longer braking Avis
mountain areas can be coated distance, and poor visibility gives 01805 21 77 02; www.avis.de
with snow and ice. Motorways are less time to react. Budget
01805 21 77 11; www.budget.de
kept clear, but minor roads may be In high-altitude regions and
closed completely, and access to mountainous areas, you may Hertz
01805 33 35 35; www.hertz.de
other roads may only be permitted encounter ice and snow in winter.
for vehicles fitted with snow chains. Slow down, especially for curves Sixt
01805 25 25 25; www.sixt.de
When hiring a car, make sure you and turns, and keep your actions
get winter tyres along with the car, steady and deliberate to avoid sliding
even though many companies offer out of control. If the car skids, take
just regular summer tyres. Note that your foot off the accelerator – do
car hire companies usually charge not brake – and turn the wheel
extra for snow chains. Make sure into the skid until the car corrects
that the tyres are in good condition. itself. Watch out for ice, especially
In case of an accident, if the car on bridges and overpasses, which Below far left Camper van parked on the road
does not have adequate tyres, the freeze up first. If you hit a patch, between Wildsteig and Rottenbuch, Bavaria
insurance cover may not remain do not brake or turn the wheel, Below left Motorcycles at Schloss Rheinsberg,
valid. The maximum speed possible but keep as straight as possible Brandenburg Below centre Bicycle secured
with snow chains is 50 kph (30 mph). and coast over it. to a motorhome Below centre right
In Germany, winter tyres are not When conditions reduce light Well- maintained road to Bad Harzburg,
mandatory, but on-the-spot fines levels, dipped headlights should be Lower Saxony Below Downtown shopping
can be imposed if the vehicle is used. Turn on fog lights whenever street in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse,
not equipped for winter weather visibility is less than 100 m (328 ft). Rhineland-Palatinate

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