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

Test procedure.

Article 23. Test procedure.
1. If the result of the roadside test exceeds the limits in Article 20, or even if without reaching these limits, the subject exhibits symptoms of being under the influence of alcoholic drink, the officer can demand a second test.
2. The time between the first and second tests will be at least 10 minutes.
3. The subject (or their representative) will be informed of his rights which include having a further test done by means of blood, urine or other analogous analysis, by personnel of the medical center to which he will be transferred.
4. If the subject chooses a further test, the traffic officer will arrange for his transfer to the nearest health center. If the personnel of the health center decide to do a further test it will be done in accordance with the arrangements in Article 26.
The cost of these tests must first be deposited by the subject. If the test is positive he must pay from the deposit; if negative the Jefatura Central de Tráfico or competent authority will pay, returning the deposit.

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