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

Traffic officers’ duties.

Article 24. Traffic officers’ duties.
If the result of the second or subsequent test is positive, or if the driver displays symptoms of being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or is presumed to have committed a criminal offence, the traffic officers, in accordance with the LST of Criminal Judgment, must:
a) Describe accurately in the report the procedure followed to carry out the test(s).
b) Caution the subject, highlighting his right to challenge the results by means of a further test (Article 23,4).
c) Warn the subject, that drink-driving is a criminal offence under the Law of Criminal Judgment.

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