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.

Monday, 23 July 2007

Obligation to help

Article 129. Obligation to help.
1. Road users involved in a traffic accident, present at it or have knowledge of it will be required to help or call for help to take care of any casualties, to help in avoiding greater danger or damage, to restore as far as possible, traffic safety and to clarify the facts (LST Art 51,1).
2. Any road user involved in a traffic accident must, if possible:
a) Stop in a way that does not create new danger to traffic.
b) To assess the circumstances and consequences of the accident, that allows him to establish priorities, according to the situation with respect to the measures to adopt to guarantee traffic safety, to help any casualties, to facilitate their identity and to cooperate with the authorities or their officers.
c) To make an effort to restore or maintain traffic safety and if, apparently, there are fatalities or serious injuries to anyone or has been told so by the authorities or their officers, to avoid moving any evidence which might be used to determine responsibility, unless it compromises the safety of the wounded or traffic.
d) Assist the injured suitably according to circumstances, and especially, to successfully obtain medical help.
e) Advise the authorities or their officers if apparently, someone has been hurt or died, as well as remain in or return to the place of the accident until their arrival, unless he has been authorized by them to leave the scene or has to help the injured or be taken care of himself; it is not necessary however, to warn the authorities or their officers, nor to remain at the scene, if clearly only slight injuries exist, traffic safety is restored and none of the people involved in the accident ask for it.
f) Communicate in any case, their identity to other people involved in the accident if requested; when only material damage is caused, to give their name and address, either directly, or to the traffic officers present.
g) Provide their vehicle data to other people involved in the accident, if requested.
3. Except where manifestly, their assistance is not necessary, any road user who notices that a traffic accident has occurred, even if not involved must assist, as soon as possible, governed by the rules in the previous paragraphs, unless the authorities or their officers are present at the scene.

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