Date Published: 27/09/2021
ARCHIVED - DGT clarifies rules for driving through towns in Spain
The traffic authority posted the regulations on social media for travelling in urban areas in Spain
With speed limits revised earlier this year in Spain, some confusion has arisen regarding the rules for driving through towns, which don’t actually fall under the category of a general street or highway, and so the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) took to Twitter to clarify the situation. The DGT has classified the stretches running through towns and villages as “intermediate spaces, transitional, between road and street” and has appealed to the public to be especially cautious of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
Main rules for driving through towns in Spain
- The maximum speed allowed is 50 kilometres per hour, but drivers need to be aware that many streets assign their own regulations, so the speed limit could actually be lower.
- If there is more than one lane travelling through a town, drivers need not observe the usual overtaking rules but should instead follow whichever lane best suits their destination.
- At the same time, overtaking on the right is permitted if there are two lanes travelling in the same direction, with drivers asked to take special care when approaching an intersection or pedestrian crossing. It goes without saying that a safe distance must always be maintained when passing cyclists or pedestrians, and the speed limit should be observed.
- Parking on the left side of the street in a town is permitted if there is only one lane, otherwise, drivers must stop as close to the right-hand side as possible or the hard shoulder if there is one.
- Finally, full or high-beam lights should never be used when driving through a town or village due to the risk of dazzling other road users.
Al circular por travesía, RECUERDA que lo haces en zona urbana y que debes tener especial cuidado con #peatones y otros usuarios vulnerables como los #ciclistas.#MejorMásdespacio 💟
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) August 26, 2021
👉 https://t.co/mmVCiQ12hS pic.twitter.com/Gic5VQpu7I
Image: DGT
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