You can go on vacation, but you cannot leave the risks behind. Summer, sunshine, and travel fever is rising. Soon millions of vacationers will hit the road to head for their holiday destination.

But whenever fully loaded cars, motor homes and caravans crisscross Europe on the way to the beach, risk will invariably be part of the baggage. Many vacationers start their trip unprepared or exhausted, and some set off with unsecured loads or in poorly maintained vehicles. The holiday experience thus quickly becomes fraught with risk. AXA Winterthur and DEKRA have conducted crash tests to find out just what happens when safety is compromised during what should be the best weeks of the year.

A survey of 1,400 drivers conducted by the experts at DEKRA has shown that two out of three respondents think that drivers and motorcyclists are willing to run above average risks when setting off on vacation. Only one out of four thinks that most vacationers are fully safety conscious while on vacation.

The most frequent sins mentioned by respondents involve failing to secure luggage and sports equipment in the car, 84 percent, and riding on scooters, motorcycles and quad bikes, 52 percent, without a helmet or protective clothing. They also include high risk driving at excessive speeds, 47 percent, failing to restrain children in the car, 46 percent, and driving while under the influence of alcohol, 29 percent.

One out of ten respondents had an accident while on vacation

It was also surprising to learn that one out of ten respondents had already been involved in an accident while on vacation. People generally forget about their regular behavior and are more relaxed when on vacation, explains Bettina Zahnd Sinzig, who heads the accident research center at AXA Winterthur. And they are likely to be more relaxed about safety issues as well.