Driving in foreign countries

If you're planning to take a car trip outside the United States in the near future, be sure to check your automobile insurance. Having the right coverage is crucial whenever you drive both north and south of the border. Otherwise, even a minor fender-bender can cause major problems.

If you are involved in an accident in Canada, you must be able to show immediate proof of coverage or your car will be impounded and your driving privileges revoked on the spot. Most U.S. auto insurance policies do provide some coverage north of the border, but several Canadian provinces require drivers to have at least $1 million Canadian (or $600,000 U.S.) worth of damage liability coverage. If you don't have that much or anticipate an extended stay, ask your insurance agent to get you a document called a nonresident, interprovince motor vehicle liability card.

In Mexico, the question of liability is even touchier, because the Mexican government insists on coverage issued by Mexican insurers. Drivers can buy a temporary policy from one of the insurance companies located at major border crossing points. Even though it's a costly, time-consuming hassle, don't overlook this requirement. If you have even a minor accident more than 50 miles into Mexico and can't prove you're properly covered, you're almost sure to spend some time in a Mexican jail -- no pleasant prospect.

Whenever you rent a car overseas, it's a good idea to buy the insurance coverage offered by the rental agency. Other than Canada and U.S. territories and possessions, American auto policies generally do not provide any coverage for rentals outside of the United States. Paying for the rental with certain credit cards may get you some liability protection, but even this coverage has been reduced.

There are numerous other foreign driving considerations. For example, in 51 countries around the world, including Britain and Japan, people drive on the left side of the road. According to popular legend, the practice of driving on the left dates to medieval times, when knights found it expedient to pass each other with their sword hand, usually the right, closest to oncoming traffic. But many modern travelers can be confused when confronted with danger coming from a different direction.

Here are several tips for anyone planning to drive in any of these destinations.

Avoid getting behind the wheel after a long flight. Fatigue and jet lag are disorienting enough without trying to make a right-hand turn into oncoming traffic.

Unless you are very competent with a stick shift, rent a car with an automatic transmission. With manual transmissions, the clutch is still depressed with the left foot, but shifting gears with the left hand can be a challenge.

Pay particular attention when turning onto a road, entering a highway or nearing a traffic rotary. Invite passengers to speak up and help keep you on the proper side of the road.

Finally, avoid using the word "right" when discussing the road. The different meanings can be confusing, even dangerous.

Even in foreign countries where people drive on the right, beware of killer highways. Accident rates on many foreign roads are much higher than in the United States, with speed the main factor. High-speed driving encourages risk-taking, so take your time to get used to the pace of local traffic, be it fast or slow.

Other tips. Examine your car thoroughly before taking the wheel, and familiarize yourself with its controls. Try to avoid driving on holiday weekends, when accident rates soar. It goes without saying that you should always pay attention to your driving. If you want to admire the scenery or check the map, pull off the road and stop.

AAA members with travel plans for driving a car overseas will be glad to know that many of the same emergency road services they expect in this country are available elsewhere at no additional cost. Most developed nations have similar motoring organizations, and the AAA has full reciprocity agreements with clubs in 25 different nations, from Australia and Britain to Japan and Venez-uela. In these countries, members are entitled to help, including route recommendations and emergency road service. AAA also has affiliations with driving organizations in many other countries.

When on foreign soil, drivers can usually access these services along with a wide range of local driving information simply by presenting their AAA membership card at local offices of the foreign driving clubs. Clubs should also provide advice on local travel conditions, activities, festivals, customs, restaurants and hotels, as well as sights to see and places to visit.

Unfortunately, getting this information before you go can be something of a problem. Although many of the foreign clubs do maintain Web sites, few provide information or literature in English or send it overseas.

If you need to get these materials before you leave home, try sending a written request to the foreign office well in advance. Include proof of your AAA membership and an international postal reply coupon.

Ask your local AAA office for necessary addresses and phone numbers. They also print a helpful booklet, "Offices to Serve You Abroad," which lists all foreign driving clubs that offer reciprocity to members. Unfortunately, copies of this publication can be in short supply. Too bad AAA hasn't gotten around to posting the info on its Web site, www.aaa.com.

Finally, even though it has neglected to include information regarding foreign driving clubs or other overseas auto considerations, AAA has recently published a handy, pocket-sized book called "World Passport to Safer Travel," which lists many do's and taboos involved with visiting more than 100 countries. The 352-page book is available at AAA offices and distributed through bookstores with a suggested retail price of $8.95.

More map resources

Last Sunday's column on the art of maps generated a flurry of correspondence from map lovers suggesting other Web sites those who love map-gazing might enjoy.

Michael Trick, who appreciates and collects old maps, recommended the Heritage Map Museum of Lititz, Pa, whose Web address is www.carto.com/.

Another reader, Derrick Brashear, points out that many states provide USGS quadrangle maps and other information maps for free electronically. For example, a huge selection of Pennsylvania maps are available from Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access at www.pasda.psu.edu/flash.shtml.

Finally, Jerry Hutch of Helena, Mont., called our attention to www.topozone.com/, another site where USGS maps can be accessed and downloaded.

Thanks to all for taking the time to write.