The Great Licence Gamble!

Mark Nolan17/06/202501.1K views

Driving with an invalid or expired licence is a surprisingly common, yet serious, offence in Spain, with consequences ranging from fines to prison time. This includes residents driving on unexchanged foreign licences (especially UK licences post-Brexit) and those attempting to cheat driving tests. Spanish law is clear: all drivers must hold a valid, recognized licence for their residency status. Violations can lead to substantial fines (€200-€500), points deductions, and even criminal charges for serious infringements like driving while banned or impersonating another for a test. Stay informed on Spanish driving regulations to avoid legal trouble and ensure road safety.

Dealing with Tractors

Mark Nolan12/06/202501.4K views

During spring and summer, tractors and other agricultural vehicles become more common on Spanish roads, often travelling slowly and requiring extra caution from other drivers. Understanding their road positioning, speed restrictions, and licensing requirements is essential for safety. Motorists should maintain a safe distance, overtake only when it’s clearly safe, and be especially mindful on rural and interurban roads. Patience and respect are key when sharing the road with agricultural machinery.

Government Approves New Spanish Road Signs

Mark Nolan10/06/202503.7K views

The Spanish Government has approved an update to its official catalogue of traffic signs, effective July 1, 2025. This reform adapts signage to modern social, technological, and mobility changes, introducing new signs for personal mobility vehicles, updating pictograms, and removing obsolete ones. The gradual physical replacement of signs aims for a unified, clearer, and more inclusive road signage system across the country.

On the road, alcohol kills

Mark Nolan10/06/20250922 views

Driving under the influence of alcohol remains a significant road safety issue in Spain, contributing to hundreds of deaths and serious injuries annually. Alcohol impairs crucial driving abilities like coordination, attention, vision, and decision-making, with effects intensifying based on factors such as consumption amount, individual characteristics, and combination with other substances.

How to Deal with an Emergency in a Tunnel

Mark Nolan09/06/202501.1K views

Coping with emergencies in tunnels can be daunting, but knowing the correct procedures is vital for everyone’s safety. This guide provides a clear plan of action should you face an emergency while driving in tunnels. Learn how to remain calm, assess the situation, and then protect yourself and the scene. We detail how to locate and use emergency exits and help points, marked with clear signage. Crucially, discover the essential steps to take if your vehicle is involved in an incident, including how to position your vehicle, use warning signals, and evacuate all occupants safely. Special attention is given to fire incidents, explaining how to facilitate access for emergency services and direct occupants away from danger. Finally, we cover how to call for help using SOS emergency phones, ensuring your location is immediately known.

Why Safety Distances Matter

Mark Nolan05/06/202501.1K views

Understanding stopping distances is crucial for road safety. This involves thinking time, reaction time, and braking time. The two-second rule is a simple way to maintain a safe following distance on dry roads, which should be doubled in wet conditions and significantly increased on slippery surfaces. At 120 km/h, a car travels over 33 metres per second, meaning even with an optimal one-second reaction, you’ve covered a significant distance before braking. The article highlights how inadequate following distances at speed, especially on motorways, drastically increase the risk of fatal collisions. Factors like driver alertness, vehicle condition, and road conditions all impact these critical distances. If you find a vehicle too close behind you, it’s safer to gently reduce your speed or change lanes, rather than reacting aggressively.