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.

Wednesday 18 July 2007

Turning off the engine

Article 115. Turning off the engine.
1. Even if the driver does not leave the vehicle, he must turn off the engine whenever the vehicle is stopped inside a tunnel or in a closed place or whilst filling with fuel (LST Art 46).
2. All drivers must remain with their vehicle if stopped inside a tunnel or other closed place. After waiting for more than two minutes, they must turn off the engine, keeping the position lights on until they can continue travelling.
3. To refuel a vehicle, the engine must be turned off.
The owners and employees of gas stations must not allow refuelling if the engine, lights, radios and any device emitting electromagnetic radiation (e.g. cell phones) are not turned off.
4. In the absence of proprietors or employees of gas staions, the driver of the vehicle or the person doing the refuelling must fulfill the same requirements set down in the previous paragraph.

No comments: