Hiring a moped or quad bike abroad is common in several top destinations overseas. However, British tourists have been warned against hiring the vehicles unless it’s part of a properly supervised excursion.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Although hiring motorcycles and quads is popular in tourist destinations, the number of tragic accidents involving them proves just how dangerous they are.

“Tourists should read the fine print on their insurance policies and take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

“Many factors can invalidate their insurance, including not wearing a crash helmet or hiring an unregistered vehicle.”

In January, a British tourist, Adam Davies, was left with serious injuries after a motorbike crash in Thailand.

His sister issued a warning to other tourists after the traveller was left with expensive medical costs despite having insurance.

Although Adam had worldwide travel insurance, the policy would not pay for medical expenses as he had been away from the UK for over 31 days.

It’s very important to read the whole of an insurance policy as the fine print may exclude some treatments if the person has been in one country for over a month.

The spokesperson said that people also run the risk of getting into a serious accident overseas.

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They said: “The risk to life is higher when driving on unfamiliar roads, especially in small, open vehicles which offer little protection, so failure to take proper care will inevitably lead to severe and fatal injuries.

“Although the rules may seem more relaxed while abroad, under no circumstances should tourists consider driving under the influence because the vehicles are still dangerous machinery with the power to harm both driver and passers-by.

“Getting a taxi, or hiring a car, is much safer and should be considered where possible.”

It can be extremely dangerous to drive a motorbike without a licence and tourists could end up in an accident.

Although renting a motorbike is extremely common in Bali, the regional Government has said they are planning to stop foreigners from using them.

The popular Indonesian destination’s government said that tourists would no longer be able to rent vehicles under new rules.

Between February and March, more than 171 foreign nationals violated traffic orders according to local police records.

Other tourists were caught using fake licence plates or driving recklessly around the popular island.

Some tourists don’t wear a helmet while riding the bikes, which puts them at risk of extreme injury if they crash.

Reckless tourists can also be dangerous for pedestrians, who could be hit by out of control vehicles.

The spokesperson advised tourists to only ride scooters or quad bikes as part of an organised tour.

Tourists should always wear a helmet and never drive under the influence of alcohol even if the laws in their destination differ from the UK.

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