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Driving in Spain
Unless
signs show otherwise, Speed limits are usually:
Autopistas (toll motorways) |
130kph |
80mph |
(110kph when wet) |
Main roads |
100kph |
62mph |
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Minor roads |
90kph |
56mph |
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Urban roads |
60kph |
37mph |
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Seat belts must be worn in front and rear seats (where
fitted)
Random breath-tests are carried out, and the limit of 80
micrograms per 100ml is enforced. This is lower than UK limits.
Automated Radar speed traps are not as profuse as in the UK
and at the time of writing (2007) it was dubious whether Spain had
access to the DVLA owner database to collect the details of
offenders. Manned speed traps are quite common and it is advisable
to adhere to speed limits for your own safety.
Petrol is sold in the same grades as the UK. Prices are
around 30% cheaper than in the UK.
On-the-spot fines are usually imposed on visitors, unless a
serious accident has taken place or the limit is considerably
exceed, in which case the car is impounded and the driver detained.
If the driver does not have enough cash he/she is escorted to the
nearest cash machine |
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Roudabouts: Take care, specially in Catalonia. Although the
rules state that you should us the left lane when turning left at
roundabouts, many Catalans (specially the older ones) still observe the
old rules of giving way to the right. Some motorists therefore use the
right-hand lane to turn left. Some drivers ignore the 'give way to the
left' rule entirely, and use the left lane to turn right. Crossing a
roundabout can be frightening!
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