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

Road works and narrows

Article 60. Road works and narrows.
1. Where the road by its narrowness it is very difficult or impossible for traffic to pass simultaneously, where there is not express signaling to the effect, traffic that enters first will have priority (LST Art 22,1).
If in doubt, the vehicle with greater difficulty of maneuver has right of way, in accordance with Article 62.
2. When road repair works are taking place, vehicles and animals will travel by the route indicated.
3. If possible to do so without danger or damage to the road works, the road under repair may be used by the emergency services on call provided the drivers so indicate by means of the corresponding signaling.
4. In every case, vehicles approaching road works with traffic waiting in front, must stay behind the vehicle in front, as close to the right hand side as possible, and must not try to overtake or pass but follow the traffic ahead.
5. In all the cases described in this Article, the users of the road are required to follow the directions of the authorised personnel.
6. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.c).

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