A message from Spanish police about traffic law. (1 Viewer)

jonandshell

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I'm not on Facebook but I suspect Spanish motoring law, even in precis form, has just filled Facebook's server!:)
 

jollyrodger

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I thought it was going to say A frames are now legal in Spain :whistle:

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Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
The example cited is incorrect.

In the UK, Use of A frames comes under the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986..

not Traffic Laws.
Jim, you are correct, but this is Spain and if that's what they say that's what they do like it or pay the fine......... simples.
 

GJH

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The example cited is incorrect.

In the UK, Use of A frames comes under the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986..

not Traffic Laws.
A good example, then, of "Do what the country you are in says, not what you would like to be the case" :)

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scotjimland

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Jim, you are correct, but this is Spain and if that's what they say that's what they do like it or pay the fine......... simples.

A good example, then, of "Do what the country you are in says, not what you would like to be the case" :)

in total agreement.. wasn't challenging the Spanish Traffic laws.. heaven forbid

I was pointing out that the use of A frames in the UK doesn't come under traffic laws.

Top Tip... When driving in Spain always keep a €50 note in your driving license.. ;)
 

Geo

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Spain signed the
Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on the 8th Nov 1968

Cross-border vehicles[edit]

One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries to recognise the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries. The following requirements must be met when driving outside the country of registration

 

bryandh

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in total agreement.. wasn't challenging the Spanish Traffic laws.. heaven forbid

I was pointing out that the use of A frames in the UK doesn't come under traffic laws.

Top Tip... When driving in Spain always keep a €50 note in your driving license.. ;)


Nonsense, absolute nonsense!! Don't even think about it.

Bryan

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Emmit

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Jim,
"Top Tip... When driving in Spain always keep a €50 note in your driving license.. "

Now that it's a bit of plastic, should I attach the €50 note with a paper clip or wrap the Licence up in it.:giggle:
And Geo,
"One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries torecognise the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries. The following requirements must be met when driving outside the country of registration."

The problem with the argument put forward by you (above) is that nowhere in UK law does it state that an A Frame is legal. That will remain so until it is tested in a Court.
In Spain, right from the off they say it is unlawful. How can you argue with that.

You see, we have a totally diametrically opposite way of imposing Law in the UK to that of Spain.
 
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Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
in total agreement.. wasn't challenging the Spanish Traffic laws.. heaven forbid

I was pointing out that the use of A frames in the UK doesn't come under traffic laws.

Top Tip... When driving in Spain always keep a €50 note in your driving license.. ;)
Great "top tip" Jim, but the minimum fine here is 80 euro's.......... so 2 x €50 note might be better(y)
 

Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........

Nonsense, absolute nonsense!! Don't even think about it.

Bryan
Having just read what Jim posted please do not try to attach ( I know he was kidding ) money to your licence when handing it over to the policeman or woman as you will be arrested on the spot. Having said that he is correct it is very handy to have the money in your wallet as locals have a few days to pay fines, however ANYONE visiting Spain will have to pay on the spot.

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bryandh

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Having just read what Jim posted please do not try to attach ( I know he was kidding ) money to your licence when handing it over to the policeman or woman as you will be arrested on the spot. Having said that he is correct it is very handy to have the money in your wallet as locals have a few days to pay fines, however ANYONE visiting Spain will have to pay on the spot.

Inability to pay on the spot will entail being escorted by a member of the GC to the nearest ATM to withdraw the necessary funds.

Bryan
 

Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
Inability to pay on the spot will entail being escorted by a member of the GC to the nearest ATM to withdraw the necessary funds.

Bryan
The enforcement of driving rules in Spain
In towns, the municipal police ( policía municipal) are responsible for traffic control, while on Spain’s highways the ‘civil guard’ ( guardia civil de tráfico) undertake the task, patrolling in cars, motorcycles and helicopters.

travel_leisure_9.jpg

Motorcycle police usually patrol in pairs ( parejas), at least one of whom is usually a trained mechanic and the other trained in first-aid; they will stop and help anyone in trouble. Always follow the instructions of traffic police and be prepared to stop. Police in towns blow whistles and wave their arms about a lot – if you don’t know what’s going on, follow the example of other motorists!

The police often set up check-points and stop motorists at random to ask for their identity and vehicle documents (and also to look for drugs or terrorists). You should always carry your passport or residence permit (residencia), driving licence (Spanish, if held), vehicle registration papers ( permiso de circulación) and insurance certificate, although copies are accepted. If a vehicle isn’t registered in your name, you also need a letter of authorisation from the owner.

http://www.dgt.es for details) or at the local traffic department. Always ensure that you receive a receipt for it.

If over 60 working days elapse between an offence and your receiving official notification of it, the fine is invalid. If, however, notification of a fine is sent to you in Spain while you’re abroad, your Spanish property can eventually be embargoed for non-payment. Your driving licence may also be suspended without your knowledge and your name listed in the provincial official bulletin ( boletín oficial).

Fines
Except on Spaniards and Spanish residents driving a Spanish-registered vehicle with a Spanish driving licence, on-the-spot fines ( multas) of up to €300 can be imposed for a range of traffic offences, including speeding, overtaking without indicating, travelling too close to the car in front, not being in possession of your car papers (although you’re now permitted to carry a photocopy of your papers in your car) and not wearing a seat belt. On-the-spot fines are routinely imposed on non-resident foreigners, whose vehicles can be impounded or immobilised if they’re unable to pay a fine, although the police may escort you to a bank or hotel ( This should not happen ) where you can obtain money or change foreign currency to euros. The police can also impound a foreign-registered car if they believe that it’s used permanently in Spain (you must prove that you live abroad, which may be difficult).

Speeding fines ( multas) depend on the degree to which you exceed the speed limit; you can also lose your licence and up to six points. There’s a ‘leeway’ of up to 10 per cent above the speed limit to allow for speedometer and radar errors. It’s a very serious offence if you’re 30 per cent over the limit, e.g. 80kph in a town or 150kph on a dual carriageway. If you’re caught by an unmanned radar trap, you will be sent a photograph of your number plate, which is deemed to be irrefutable evidence of speeding.

Police have stepped up their patrols in many areas and may impose fines for the slightest and most obscure infringements, such as not carrying your driving licence.

If you’re fined, you receive a boletín de denuncia specifying the offence and the fine (check that it’s the same as the amount demanded). Unless required to pay on the spot, you can pay a fine at any post office using a post office money order ( giro postal), some banks (consult http://www.dgt.es for details) or at the local traffic department. Always ensure that you receive a receipt for it.

If over 60 working days elapse between an offence and your receiving official notification of it, the fine is invalid. If, however, notification of a fine is sent to you in Spain while you’re abroad, your Spanish property can eventually be embargoed for non-payment. Your driving licence may also be suspended without your knowledge and your name listed in the provincial official bulletin ( boletín oficial).

http://www.dgt.es and Broken Link Removed).

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GJH

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What i don't understand is folk who complain about foreigners ignoring or breaking UK laws want to go to another country and break theirs!
Trouble is, Ken, whether at home or abroad, too many people "know" that the law allows them to do what they want to do - or it is wrong :)

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I was pulled over by the police two days ago, they thought that I was a boy racer because I had my front fog lights on. After realising her silly mistake I got to chatting to her and she told me if I had been pulled over by a traffic cop then he would have given me a £60 fine.
Who is it who decides when conditions require or do not require front fog lamps. The silly girl told me that fog lights were one of her own pet hates. I think she should get out more......:rolleyes:
 

Jim

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The Spanish driving laws should really not be a surprise to any UK driver.


Driving in the UK

Driving laws in the UK are strictly upheld. There are over 30 million cars in the UK driving on some of the most congested roads in Europe and safety is taken seriously. Failure to adhere to these laws can result in an on the spot fine, court or prison.

The basic laws of driving in the UK are as follows:
  1. You must have a valid driving licence that covers the type of vehicle that you are driving.
  2. You must have appropriate insurance for the vehicle and it must have valid road tax.
  3. You must drive on the left hand side of the road and overtake on the right.
  4. You must wear a seat belt where one is fitted.
  5. You cannot use your mobile phone while driving.
  6. If you are riding a motorcycle or moped you must wear a crash helmet.
  7. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not allowed.
  8. You must observe the speed limits which can be 20, 30 or 40mph in built up areas. The speed limit on motorways is 70mph and all other roads have a limit of 60mph or 50mph.
  9. The minimum age at which you can drive a car or motorcycle is 17 years old.


The rules and laws of driving in the UK are printed in a booklet called the Highway code. You can purchase one of these from a high street book store or online at online at Amazon.co.uk.

The highway code can also be accessed on the internet.

Driving in the UK is fairly straightforward unless you have never been on a roundabout. A roundabout is a circular junction where all drivers give way to traffic on their right. There are online tutorials on how to use roundabouts such as Driving-test-success.com.

Everyone in the UK drives on the left hand side of the road. The roads have names beginning with a letter, followed by 1-3 numbers, for example 'A34'. The classification of a road does not always relate to its width or quality of surface.

A Roads

An A road with one number after it (A1) is a main trunk road. Supplementary A roads can have 2 to 3 numbers after the letter and these routes are slightly less important.

B Roads

These are local routes which carry less traffic than an A road.

C, D and U Roads

These are roads and lanes which carry less traffic than a B road.

Motorways

A motorway is a high capacity road with a minimum of two lanes in either direction. The M25 around London has up to six lanes in certain areas. A motorway is prefixed with an 'M' and the signs are blue. The speed limit on a dual carriageway or motorway is 70mph unless speed restriction signs say otherwise. Variable speed limits and traffic information are shown on large screens either over the road or to its left.

On a motorway carriage there are the main lanes (either 2 or 3). On the left of these lanes is a lane called the hard shoulder which is to be used for emergencies such as breakdowns. The edge of the motorway and the hard shoulder is marked by a solid white lane (yellow in Ireland). Some motorways use this lane during busy periods but this will be displayed on electronic signs. A central reservation with a barrier separates one carriageway from the other.

The lane on the left, next to the hard shoulder is used for slow and steady traffic with the other two lanes being used for overtaking. Motorists are expected to use the nearside most lane that is cleared. Motorists tend to get frustrated with drivers who stay in a faster lane but are not overtaking.

Seatbelt laws

You must wear a seat belt where one is fitted, including the back seats. There are very few exceptions.

All children must be restrained in a car. Children under 135cms in height must use an appropriate restraint such as a baby car seat/booster seat.

A child may use an adult seat belt when they reach 135cms or the age of 12.

Mobile phones

It is against the law to use a hand held mobile phone while driving a car. If you are stopped by the police for this reason then you can expect to pay a fine. Most drivers in the UK now use hands free devices in their cars to avoid this.

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Traveller_HA5_3DOM

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Always a good talking point this one. I usually refer back to the Vienna Convention on Road traffic in 1968 which followed on from the Geneva one in 1949. Spain is one of the Countries who signed up to this and it was to permit traffic from other countries to use the roads providing they were legal in their own country.
The important paragraph I think is this "One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries to recognise the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries.
The vehicle must meet all technical requirements to be legal for road use in the country of registration. Any conflicting technical requirements (e.g., right-hand-drive or left-hand-drive) in the signatory country where the vehicle is being driven do not apply.
So N332 how do your money making schemes to fleece the foreign drivers manage to evade a piece of International law and agreement, please quote the legislation that has been enacted or signed up to by the Spanish that makes this behavior legal.
 

Geo

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Jim,
"Top Tip... When driving in Spain always keep a €50 note in your driving license.. "

Now that it's a bit of plastic, should I attach the €50 note with a paper clip or wrap the Licence up in it.:giggle:
And Geo,
"One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries torecognise the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries. The following requirements must be met when driving outside the country of registration."

The problem with the argument put forward by you (above) is that nowhere in UK law does it state that an A Frame is legal. That will remain so until it is tested in a Court.
In Spain, right from the off they say it is unlawful. How can you argue with that.

You see, we have a totally diametrically opposite way of imposing Law in the UK to that of Spain.

You shot yourself in the foot with your own argument
Your nearly right but that still makes you wrong.

You clearly agree and state that we have opposing methods of imposing the law and your right, in Spain it is illegal unless they say you can do it

Over here its legal till they say you cant do it,--------- ergo a Frames are legal in the UK

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Traveller_HA5_3DOM

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The rules and laws of driving in the UK are printed in a booklet called the Highway code. You can purchase one of these from a high street book store or online at online at Amazon.co.uk.
Just a small point here Jim. Highway code is not a law but a set of guidelines for Drivers/Riders/Pedestrians.
It can be quoted in Criminal or Civil cases by both parties and taken into account when deciding on cases. It does not in itself create any criminal law.
 
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maybe she's getting out too much :whistle:
Maybe Jim but the roads are full of one eyed monsters cars with only one light now they are realy dangerous on country roads but she poo pooed this when I mentioned it to her. It was fog lights that were her pet hate.:)
 

Jim

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Just a small point here Jim. Highway code is not a law but a set of guidelines for Drivers/Riders/Pedestrians.
It can be quoted in Criminal or Civil cases by both parties and taken into account when deciding on cases. It does not in itself create any criminal law.

It was not my text, see the attrib at the bottom of the post. It's pointing visitors to the UK to it.

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