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.

Wednesday 27 June 2007

Breath testing for alcohol.

Article 22. Breath testing for alcohol.
1. Tests to detect possible intoxication by alcohol will be done by traffic officers using breathalizers. At the request of the subject or by order of the judicial authority, or if a breath test is refused, testing will be done by blood, urine or other analogous analysis (LST Art 12,2, para 2).
2. If due to injury, ailment or disease whose seriousness prevents a roadside test, the medical personnel of the center to which they are evacuated will decide what tests to perform.

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