Safe Following Distances and New Urban Cycling Rules Explained
New road rules require drivers in towns to leave at least 5 metres behind cyclists, complementing Spain’s strict general following distance and vehicle separation laws.
New road rules require drivers in towns to leave at least 5 metres behind cyclists, complementing Spain’s strict general following distance and vehicle separation laws.
The absence of painted lines does not make parking legal: Spanish traffic regulations prohibit leaving a vehicle anywhere visibility is compromised.
As vehicle occupant deaths fall, pedestrian casualty reductions have stalled. An in-depth look at how the fortress effect inside our cars has increased the risks for children and teenagers on foot.
Driving schools have asked the DGT to introduce mandatory training for electric scooter users and road awareness modules for new drivers.
Traffic-light sequences at pedestrian crossings are changing from 1 October, but the fundamental rules for drivers remain. Fixed amber means stop unless stopping safely is impossible; flashing amber means proceed with extreme caution and give way where necessary.
Electric scooters have become a familiar part of Spanish mobility. From 1 October 2026, national rules introduce a minimum age of 15 and mandatory helmets for VMP users, adding to existing insurance and registration requirements.