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

Right of way of Drivers over pedestrians

Article 65. Right of way of Drivers over pedestrians.
1. Drivers have right of way with respect to pedestrians, except in the following cases:
a) On properly signed pedestrian crossings.
b) When turning to enter another road and are pedestrians crossing it, although no crossing exists.
c) When the vehicle crosses a hard shoulder along which pedestrians are travelling and there is no pedestrian area (LST Art 23,1).
2. In pedestrian areas when vehicles cross them using designated crossings, drivers are obliged to let pedestrians pass (LST Art 23,2).
3. Also they have to give way to:
a) Pedestrians who are boarding or leaving a public transport vehicle at a signed stop, between the vehicle and a pedestrian zone or refuge.
b) Troops in formation, schoolchildren or organized processions (LST Art 23,3).
4. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.c).

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