Holidays in the Czech Republic are one of the most popular among fans of urban tourism. But not only the magnificent and unforgettable Prague attracts tourists. If possible, it is worth renting a car and exploring the roads in the Czech Republic. This way you can see other interesting cities, as well as enjoy the calm and peaceful nature.
Local road network and road quality in the Czech Republic
Traditionally for Europe, the roads in the Czech Republic are divided into expressways and local roads, including minor ones.
Autobahns, as usual, are paid. To travel on them, you must purchase a vignette, which gives the right to use the motorways for a certain period. The cost of such a vignette is low enough that anyone can afford a toll road trip.
Almost all autobahns leave from Prague, with the exception of a few sections at a distance. Some of them connect the capital of the Czech Republic with other large cities, such as Brno, others go to the borders with neighboring states.
If the quality of the road surface on the highways is quite decent, then other roads cannot boast of this. According to many travelers, of all Central European countries, it is the Czech Republic that has the worst roads. Irregularities and patches are often found here, some areas resemble a washboard and cause constant shaking.
But the positive thing is the almost complete absence of sharp turns and bends on local roads. And this despite the fact that in the Czech Republic there are many hills and elevations. However, they strive to build the most direct and convenient roads for traffic.
Features of local traffic
For tourists who decide to explore the Czech Republic by car, it is important to know some of the nuances of local traffic:
- On many roads you can find a dedicated lane. It is designed for the movement of trucks and trucks, which greatly facilitates the passage for light vehicles.
- Although local drivers are calm and try to comply with the traffic rules, the death rate on local roads is very high. True, in recent years it has noticeably decreased, but in terms of the number of fatal accidents, it is comparable to the number of such accidents in the United States. Therefore, you should be extremely careful on the roads.
- Pedestrians in the Czech Republic, as in any other European country, have priority over vehicles. Therefore, they should be skipped anytime, anywhere. Also, on forest roads, you can meet numerous representatives of the fauna, which, of course, do not follow traffic rules and can jump out in front of the car at any time.
- Violation of the speed limit is recorded by both the traffic police and numerous cameras, and is punished quite severely. An even greater fine will have to be paid for driving while drunk. Therefore, in order not to spoil your vacation with a conflict with the police and loss of money, you must not violate the existing restrictions.
By renting a car or arriving in the Czech Republic on your own, you can not only see the most remote and little-explored corners of this wonderful country, but also enjoy the peace and quiet in areas where tourists rarely drop in.
