Essentially Local Magazine MAR-APR 2022

Motoring
Freedom is in Sight
Freedom is in sight and if you are planning a well-deserved
holiday think:
1. Insurance and Documents
• Visas – consider costs and timescales to deliver.
• Passport & COVID passport – many countries require at least 3 –
6 months before expiry and check the COVID requirements.
• Global Health Insurance Card –replaces the EHIC covering the
main EU countries only mainly for basic medical needs, and some
conditions or illnesses.
• Insurance – organise it when you book or risk not being covered
if something goes wrong before you leave. This should cover
emergency repatriation in medical emergencies.
• Driving licence – check if you need an international licence.
2. Overseas Package holidays versus DIY
Package holidays provide some protection if your holiday
company cancels or amends due to government restrictions.
These days flexible cancellation and booking policies are essential
and be aware that it can be harder to get refunds or amendments
for separately booked flights and accommodation. Always choose
ABTA protection when looking for deals - package holidays can be
cheaper than DIY.
For the latest holiday advice: Foreign office gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice
3. Staycations
From mountains to beaches, cities to rural areas, the UK has it all
and more us of are discovering the joys. Staying home cuts travel
costs, however accommodation can be more tricky. Availability,
time of year and your budget will shape your choice - tent, mobile
homes, holiday cottages, hotels or motor homes.
Rain in a tent will be hard work but you can’t beat the freedom.
A hotel usually means complete relaxation but with a cost for
every little extra. The most flexible choice is the probably the
motorhome – move on when you are ready, close the door to
rain, and explore at your leisure.
Check out our holiday
considerations:
essentiallylocal.co.uk/motoring
Highway
Code Changes
Priority
Priority is changing for road users
since the government is introduced
changes to Highway Code on
29 January. The 'Hierarchy of
Road Users' is the biggest and, a
welcome change.
The changes will hopefully increase
respect for all road users whether
they are walking, on cycles, riding
a horse or indeed in a car or HGV.
Within the change, there is the
assumption that people will take
due regard for their own safety.
The changes place road users in
priority order of the level of harm
they can cause. The more the harm,
the greater the responsibility the
road user will bear.
Although every road user should
behave with responsibility without
laws or rules evidence shows
this is not the case. Pedestrians,
particularly children, older users and
the disabled are clearly at most risk
from all road users. And obviously,
HGVs and large passenger vehicles
are the most dangerous to other
road users.
See: essentiallylocal.co.uk/
motoring
Photo credit (above) – Road 2
Freedom
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