With mountain ranges to drive by on and sweeping hills and valleys to frame the views from the village roads, Slovakia is certainly a lovely place to see in a car or on a motorcycle. The further east you go in the country, the more sparse it gets in urban areas, and then it really opens up its beauty.
Driving safe in the Slovak Republic
Driving in the Slovak Republic should be treated as an adventure by itself. With a posted speed limit of 130 km/h on the highways and 90 km/h on the back roads between towns and villages, a lot of the local Slovaks seem to believe that the driving laws are mere guidelines, and are not afraid of putting themselves into dangerous positions, such as overtaking around a blind corner or going up a hill. Even on the highways, where the automobile population is rather sparse compared to countries in Western Europe, tailgating is not uncommon and unless the foreign driver is aware of his surroundings, then uncomfortable situations may occur, such as being flashed and having fists shaken at them when they are overtaken.
The best way then, as it is on any unfamiliar road, is to drive defensively. This means being more aware, observing road conditions and acting on them, not using aggressive behavior on the road and respecting the other person’s space. All of the above may not be reciprocated, but at least it lessens the danger. This is especially needed when driving at night in wet weather. With road markings that are not very clear and poor drainage on the roads that results in a lot of standing water and a high risk of aquaplaning, it probably isn’t a surprise that the number of deaths per 100,000 is almost double to what it is in the UK.
Keeping safe in Slovakia
In order to be fit to be on the road, every vehicle bought in Slovakia has to have a technical and emissions check performed on it, which it must pass in order to be deemed safe to drive. These tests are taken every two years at an approved specialist garage. The vehicle must also carry several items: an up-to-date first-aid kit, which is defined by its color; a safety vest which has to be in reach of the driver; a CPR sheet; a tow rope; a police sheet in case of collision and a safety triangle. Winter tires are a must for those chilly months as when the snow comes down, Slovakia doesn’t stop work.
During these times, carrying a thermos of your favorite hot non-alcoholic drink, extra warm clothing, an ice scraper and a shovel are all good things to have, especially if you find yourself stuck outside the city limits. Also in all weather conditions, including the bright summer months, headlights must be switched on at all times.
The driver must be protected by at least third-party insurance and there is a zero tolerance on drinking and driving, and the police will take a breath test of any driver that has been involved in an accident, regardless of who had the right of way. Although fixed speed cameras are not a frequent occurrence on the road, mobile cameras are, especially at new construction works where speed limits are variable or have been changed according to conditions.
Speed limits have been reduced to 50 km/h within towns and villages, but as mentioned above and unless otherwise stated, single carriageways outside of towns and villages are limited to 90 km/h and the highways are at 130 km/h. Once again, having an awareness of what is going on around you, other than some spectacular views, will keep you out of trouble and make your journey a pleasant one.
James Clapham - After winning his Creative Writing Diploma, James Clapham moved to Slovakia. He currently works as an English teacher there, and is also ...
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