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

Travelling along the road or the hard shoulder

Article 122. Travelling along the road or the hard shoulder.
1. Outside town, on all roads subject to the law, and in town (including highways under construction has no zone reserved especially for pedestrians, as a general rule, travel is on the left the left (LST Art 49,2).
2. Despite the previous section, pedestrians may travel on the right when circumstances dictate for reasons of greater safety.
3. In town, pedestrians may travel on the right or left, according to the conditions traffic, the road or visibility.
4. Despite the arrangements in paragraphs 1 and 3; those pushing a bicycle or moped, hand carts or similar, all groups of pedestrians directed by a person or forming a procession, those in wheelchairs and others where applicable must always travel on the right. All must obey signals directed to them by drivers of vehicles, traffic officers and traffic lights.
5. Travelling on the hard shoulder or the road will be done prudently, without obstructing traffic unnecessarily, as far as possible to the side of the road. Except for processions, pedestrians must travel in single file if safety demands, especially in reduced visibility or in busy traffic.
6. Where there are pedestrian refuges, sidewalks or other suitable area, no pedestrian may remain in the road or on the hard shoulder, even if waiting for a vehicle, and may only be in the road when actually boarding a vehicle.
7. On noticing sirens or lights of high-priority vehicles, pedestrians must clear the road and remain in pedestrian refuges or sidewalks.
8. Traffic in residential streets properly signalled with sign S-28 in Article 159 is governed by the arrangements for this sign.

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