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.

Thursday 12 July 2007

Behavior of other drivers with respect to high-priority vehicles

Article 69. Behavior of other drivers with respect to high-priority vehicles.
As soon as they perceive the signals that indicate the approach of a high-priority vehicle, other drivers must take the necessary measures, according to the circumstances of the time and place, to facilitate the passage of the emergency services, normally moving to their right right or stopping if necessary.
When a police vehicle, marking its presence according to the arrangements in Article 68,2 is behind any other vehicle and uses in addition its flashing yellow lights, the driver in front must stop with due precaution on the right hand side, in front of the police vehicle, in a place where they do not create greater risk or annoyance to other users, and must remain in the vehicle. At all times the driver will obey the instructions of the traffic officer.

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