Driving in Spain.

Contrary to what you may see on the roads in Spain, driving here is NOT:
1. Just like the UK but on the other side,
2. A free-for-all with no rules, or rules to be ignored if you're local.

The Guardia Civil and police can and do enforce traffic regulations, and can really spoil your holiday.

Inspired by Brian Deller's excellent "Motoring in Spain", this site tells you what the traffic laws are in Spain. Unlike the UK Highway Code, they are not guidelines, they are fixed... and to be obeyed.

Most Spanish road traffic law is contained in the LSV (Ley de Seguridad Vial), on which is based the RGC (Reglamentación General de Circulación) which also has the force of law. Allied to this is the RGV (Reglamentación General de Vehículos) which covers construction and use of motor vehicles.

This site is still under construction and will be quite large (over 170 articles for the RGC alone). The best place to start is the RGC index and the glossary. The RGV, and LSV will be added later when translation has been checked.

Friday 1 June 2007

Activities that affect traffic safety.

Article 4. Activities that affect traffic safety.
1. The carrying out of works, etc. of permanent or provisional nature in the road or land subject to the application of the legislation needs the previous authorization of its owner and will be governed by the arrangements in the law. The same rules apply to the interruption of works at the request of the relevant Jefatura Central de Tráfico (LST Art. 10,1).
2. It is prohibited to leave on the road objects or materials that can obstruct traffic, stopping or parking, make it dangerous or damage it or its facilities (LST Art. 10,2).
3. It is prohibited to install in roads or lands subject to the scope of application of the law any apparatus, installation or construction, or carry out activities such as filming, surveys or tests, even though of provisional or temporary character, that can obstruct traffic.

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