Speed limit signs in Spain indicate the maximum permitted speed in kilometres per hour. While seemingly obvious, there’s often confusion about what these signs truly mean beyond normal situations and where the limit ends. This guide breaks down what speed limit signs tell us, clarifying that they denote a maximum, not a target, and explaining how their applicability changes based on junctions, hazards, and road types.
With nearly 80% of Spaniards experiencing some form of vision problem, and drivers relying on their eyes for 80% of driving information, good eyesight is paramount for road safety. Vision often degrades gradually, making regular eye tests crucial. If you wear corrective lenses, always use them while driving and consider progressive lenses for dashboard clarity. Be cautious driving at night or in poor conditions if you experience difficulties, and always reduce speed, as higher speeds limit your field of vision. Remember, certain medications and even dilated pupils can impair your ability to drive safely. Good visual acuity, field, and contrast sensitivity are vital for distinguishing road hazards and can be affected by various conditions like cataracts or diabetes. Always ensure your vision meets legal requirements for driving, and keep a spare pair of glasses handy if you wear them.
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.
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.
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.
Driving through tunnels requires careful attention to specific rules and environmental changes to ensure safety. This guide highlights essential considerations for driving through tunnels, from adapting to lighting and airflow changes to understanding critical signage. Learn about mandatory speed limits, the crucial difference between headlights and daytime running lights, and safe following distances – including the 100-metre minimum for cars and 150-metre minimum for HGVs. We also cover lane indicators and prohibited overtaking in two-way tunnels, ensuring you’re fully prepared for safe passage.