Pedestrian crossings and crossing roads

Article 124. Pedestrian crossings and crossing roads.
1. In areas where pedestrian crossings exist, those wishing to cross the road must use them, and when such crossings are level with the road, the following rules must be observed in addition:
a) If the crossing has traffic lights for pedestrians, they will obey its indications.
b) If no traffic lights for pedestrians exist but vehicular traffic is regulated by a traffic officer or light, they must not step onto the road while the signal from the officer or traffic light allows vehicular traffic to pass.
c) At other pedestrian crossings signed by the corresponding road markings, although they have right of way, they may only step into the road when the distance and speed of approaching vehicles allow them to do so safely.
2. In order to cross roads without pedestrian crossings, they must make sure that they can do so without risk or illegal obstruction.
3. When crossing the road, they must walk perpendicular to the axis of the road, not unduly delay or stop in it and not obstruct the crossing of others.
4. Pedestrians may not cross plazas or roundabouts on the road, they must go around them.

OVERTAKING MANEUVERS THAT THREATEN ROAD SAFETY: Prohibitions

Article 87. Prohibitions.
1. It is prohibited to overtake:
a) On bends and gradients with reduced visibility and in general, any place or circumstance where visibility is insufficient to overtake or abort the maneuver once started, unless both traffic flows are clearly delimited and the maneuver can take place without invading the area reserved for oncoming traffic (LST Art 36,1).
In accordance with the arrangements in the previous paragraph, it is prohibited, in particular, to overtake another vehicle that is overtaking when the caracteristics of the vehicle in front obstructs forward visibility.
b) At signed pedestrian crossings, at intersections with cyclist routes, at level crossings and their approaches (LST Art 36,2).
However, this prohibition is not applicable when overtaking two wheeled vehicles that by their reduced dimensions do not obstruct lateral visibility, at a level crossing or its approaches, provided overtaking is so indicated by horn or lights. The prohibition at a signed pedestrian crossing is not applicable either if overtaking is done at a speed sufficiently reduced that it allows time to stop if danger of running over occurs.
c) At intersections and their approaches, except when:
i) At a circular intersection or roundabout.
ii) Overtaking on the right, as described in Article 82.2.
iii) The road has priority at the intersection and is expressly signalled as such.
iv) Overtaking two wheeled vehicles (LST Art 36,3).
d) In tunnels, underpasses and sections of road governed by the signal "Tunnel" (S-5) in which there is only one lane in each direction.
2. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.c).

General rules and right of way of cyclists

Article 64. General rules and right of way of cyclists.
As a general rule, and whenever their routes cross, drivers have right of way on the road and hard shoulder with respect to pedestrians and animals, except in the cases described in Articles 65 and 66, where they must let them pass, stopping if necessary. Bicycle riders have right of way with respect to motor vehicles:
a) When using a cycle lane, cycle crossing or hard shoulder properly signed.
b) When a motor vehicle turns right or left to enter another road, and a cyclist is near.
c) When circulating as a group and the first cyclist has started crossing or has entered a roundabout.
In other cases the general rules apply on right of way between vehicles.

Unsigned Intersections

Article 57. Unsigned Intersections.
1. In defect of signals that indicate priority, the driver is required to give way to vehicles approaching from the right, except in the following cases:
a) They have right of way over vehicles that approaching a made road from an unmade road.
b) Vehicles on rails have right of way over other users.
c) On roundabouts, those that are on the roundabout will have priority over joining traffic (LST Art 21,2).
d) Vehicles on an autopista or autovía have priority over joining traffic.
2. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.c).

Adjustment of speed to circumstances

Article 45. Adjustment of speed to circumstances.
All drivers must respect the speed limits specified and take into account in addition; their own physical and mental condition; the characteristics and state of the road, the vehicle and its load; the weather, environmental and traffic conditions; and in general whatever circumstances apply at the time, adjusting the vehicle speed so that they can always stop within the limits of their field of vision should any obstacle appear (LST Art 19,1).

REFUGES, ISLANDS, BARRIERS AND ANALOGS

Article 43. Traffic direction.
1. Where refuges, islands or barriers exist, traffic must pass to the right of them, except when they are located in a one-way street or on a carriageway with one direction, in which case traffic may pass either side (LST Art 17).
2. In plazas, roundabouts and road junctions, vehicles will travel leaving the middle part to their left.
3. Travel against the stipulated flow is a very serious offence, even where refuges, islands or barriers are not used (LST Art 65.5.f).

Glossary

Automobile road. A road reserved exclusively for automobile traffic, with a single carriageway and total limitation of access to adjacent properties, and signed with signals S-3 and S-4, respectively.

Autopista / Autovía. A road similar to a motorway reserved for certain traffic with limited access and with separated carriageways. Autopistas de Peaje charge tolls.

Autovía. A highway specially constructed and signed so that it has the following characteristics: a) Limited access to adjacent properties.
b) Does not cross at the same level any footpath, way, railroad or tramline, nor is crossed at the same level by any footpath, access road or right of way.
c) Consists of separate carriageways in each direction, separated from each other by a median strip, or by other means.

BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) – Oficial state bulletin [similar to Hansard et.al.]

Conventional road. Any road that does not meet the characteristics of autopistas, autovías or automobile roads.

Highway. For the purposes of this regulation, a made public road entirely located outside town, except for those sections classified as a travesía.

Interurban road. Public road entirely located outside town.

Lane for high occupancy vehicles [VAO]. A lane that is specially reserved or specified for high occupancy vehicles.

LST. Ley sobre tráfico, circulación de vehículos a motor y seguridad vial The Law on traffic, motor vehicle traffic and road safety, RD 339/1990, of 2nd March.

MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass).

Permiso de Circulación – Vehicle licence and registration document.

RGC (REGLAMENTO GENERAL DE CIRCULACIÓN) GENERAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS (This document) RD 1428/2003 of 21st November, as amended.

RGV (Reglamento General de Vehículos) – General Vehicle Regulations, RD …

Roundabout. A special type of intersection where roads come together through a ring in which a traffic circulates around a central island. The so-called divided roundabouts [hamburger junctions] in which two sections, (generally opposed), are connected directly through the central island, in which traffic can pass through the divided island, is not classified as a roundabout.

Travesía. For the purposes of this legislation, it is a section of road running through town (a through route). Those sections that have a road or variant alternative to which it has access are not treated as travesías.

Urban road. Public road entirely located within town, except for travesías.