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.

Friday 13 July 2007

Obligations of users and owners of roads

Article 95. Obligations of users and owners of roads.
1. All drivers must exercise extreme prudence and reduce their speed below the limit when approaching a level crossing or a movable bridge (LST Art 40,1).
2. Users who, when arriving at a level crossing or a movable bridge find it closed or with the barrier or semibarrier in motion must stop in file in the corresponding lane until they have free passage (LST Art 40,2).
3. Crossing of railways must be done without delay and after checking that, by circumstance of traffic or other causes, no risk exists of being immobilized on the crossing (LST Art 40,3).
4. Level crossings and movable bridges will be properly signed by the owner of the road in the way described in Articles 144, 146 and 149.
5. Tunnels of any length and underpasses over 200m long will be properly signed.
6. In tunnels or underpasses drivers must rigorously apply all the traffic rules relative to them contained in this regulation and especially those referring to the prohibitions on stopping, parking, U-turns, reversing and overtaking. In addition, they must use the corresponding lights.
When not intending to overtake, a safety distance behind the preceding vehicle of at least 100m or a minimum interval of four seconds must be maintained. In the case of vehicles whose MAM exceeds 3,500kg, the safety distance behind the preceding vehicle must be at least 150m or a minimum interval of six seconds.
In tunnels or underpasses with traffic in both directions, overtaking is prohibited, unless more than one lane exists in the direction of travel, in which overtaking is allowed without invading the opposing lane.
7. At all times drivers and users of a tunnel or underpass must obey the indications of traffic lights and variable message panels, and follow instructions given to them through loud speakers or other means.

No comments: