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

High-priority vehicles

Article 67. High-priority vehicles.
1. Vehicles in emergency service have priority over other vehicles and users of the road. They may travel over the speed limits and are exempt from other rules or signals in the cases and in the conditions determined in this section (LST Art 25).
2. Drivers of emergency vehicles will use sirens or flashing lights solely when travelling in an emergency and will take not to ignore the right of way at intersections or traffic lights, without first adopting extreme precautions, ensuring that there is no risk of running over pedestrians and that drivers of other vehicles have stopped or facilitate their passage.
3. Installation of flashing lights and sirens in high-priority vehicles will require authorization of the Provincial Headquarters of corresponding Traffic, in accordance with the arrangements in the RGV.

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