According to a study, about 1.5 million British motorists or about a third of more than 4.4 million UK motorists estimated to drive on foreign roads this season, are likely to drive on the wrong side of the road in foreign countries, where the traffic runs on the right.

This increases the risks of accidents in countries including Italy, France and Germany and many others. The study conducted by Swiftcover showed that one in five of the 1.8 million accidents involving British drivers in foreign locations are with oncoming vehicles.

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, said: "Lives are on the line because so many Brits are driving on the wrong side of the road while abroad. It's such a fundamental element of driving on foreign roads but it only takes a split second to lose concentration before you find yourself head-on with another vehicle.”

Swiftcover. com has suggested putting up a sticker on the steering wheel of eth car to be reminded of the side of the road to drive on.