Page 333 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  331

Road Signs large stores often have free DIRECTORY
Swedish road signs mostly parking for a few hours, but be
follow the European standard, aware that sometimes they Traffic Information
but the country also has some require a special parking ticket Trafikverket
signs of its own. Signs carrying for your windscreen showing Tel 0771-921 921.
the symbol for elk, reindeer or your arrival time. ∑ trafikverket.se
deer warn drivers that there is
a major risk of colliding with Fuel and Services Car Rental
wildlife. Thousands of accidents
involving animals occur every There are plenty of service Avis
year and a collision between a stations along the major roads Tel 0770-82 00 82.
car and a full-grown elk is often and in built-up areas, but they ∑ avis.com
fatal. The risk is particularly high may be few and far between Europcar
in the summer around in rural areas. Although some Tel 0770-77 00 50.
5am–8am and 10pm–2am, stations are manned 24-hours ∑ europcar.com
when visibility is poor. a day, drivers are often Hertz
Fences along the roadside directed to automatic Tel 0771-211 212.
are no guarantee that pumps which take ∑ hertz.com
animals won’t suddenly cards and notes.
appear on the road. It is sensible to fill OKQ8
Tel 020-850 850. ∑ okq8.se
As in the rest of up before a night
Europe, brown signs Warning sign drive. In the event Statoil
with white symbols for elk of technical problems, Tel 08-429 63 00.
indicate recommended there are few places ∑ statoil.se
tourist routes, heritage which can help outside working
sites, tourist areas and hours – garages are usually Car Ferries
attractions along the road closed in the evenings and Färjerederiet Trafikverket
such as a national park or a at weekends. Tel 0771-921 921.
historic building. Assistancekåren and Falck ∑ farjerederiet.se
Individual attractions may be offer emergency roadside
indicated by a sign with a white assistance. They often have an Vehicle Recovery
“pretzel” on a blue background. agreement with motoring Assistancekåren
organizations and insurance Tel 020-912 912.
companies abroad.
Parking ∑ assistancekaren.se
There is usually a charge for Renting a Car Falck
parking in towns and built-up Tel 020-38 38 38.
areas, especially in the centre of In addition to the familiar ∑ falcksverige.se
towns and cities. City car parks international car hire chains, Road Maps
and on-street parking are often there are a number of local
expensive. Sometimes charges options, including the petrol Stanfords, London
apply 24-hours a day and at companies’ extensive rental Tel 020-7836 1321.
weekends, too. Many ticket service. Most places will have ∑ stanfords.co.uk
machines accept credit cards some form of car rental.
and petrol cards, but they may It is possible to pre-book cars
not always work, so it is best to at airports and major train Winter Driving
keep a good number of 10 Kr stations, often for one-way Road conditions in the winter
coins to hand. rental where you leave the car vary depending on the severity
Diligent traffic wardens at your destination. Bookings of the weather and the location.
hunt out illegally parked can be made from abroad Studded tyres are permitted in
cars and the fines can be via the Internet or by Sweden and their use is
high, particularly if you phone. You generally only recommended, at least from
have parked illegally in need a valid driving central Sweden northwards.
a space reserved for licence to rent a car, but Anyone not used to winter
disabled drivers. there may be an age limit driving should not venture out if
Where parking is free of 20, or even 25 for there is a risk of snow and ice.
during the night, there is exclusive vehicles. Prices The major roads are treated
sometimes a parking ban vary considerably, so it is with salt, and ploughing is
on certain days for worth shopping around. generally good, but even in
cleaning, so it is always Special weekend deals are Skåne in the far south, snow
important to check the common and considering storms can cause traffic chaos
signs – otherwise your Sweden’s long distances, it is and in some years military
car may be towed away. best to opt for offers which tracked vehicles have had
Supermarkets and other Traffic warden include unlimited mileage. to be called out.

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