Winter driving in Spain new guidance

[Mick and Ruth]

Adverse Weather Conditions - New Rules

by Car Registrations Spain

Driving in snow and icy conditions on Spanish motorways just got safer and more organised in Spain, thanks to updates to Article 31 of the General Traffic Regulations, due to be introduced in January 2025. These new measures are designed to improve safety and traffic flow during adverse weather. Here’s what you need to know:

Stay in the Right Lane

During heavy snow or ice, vehicles must stick to the right-hand lane only. The left-hand lane is now strictly reserved for emergency vehicles and snowplows to keep the roads clear and provide swift assistance when needed.

Creating Emergency Corridors

If traffic comes to a halt or slows to a crawl, drivers are now required to form an emergency corridor by moving their vehicles to the edges of the road. This creates a clear path in the middle for emergency services. Failing to comply can result in a hefty €200 fine.

Motorbikes and the Hard Shoulder

Motorcyclists have been granted special permission to use the hard shoulder in cases of heavy traffic, as long as they don’t exceed 30 km/h. This helps ease congestion while ensuring rider safety.

No Overtaking Allowed

Overtaking on snow-covered motorways is no longer permitted. All vehicles must keep to the designated lane and avoid risky manoeuvres, ensuring smoother and safer traffic flow.

These updates are part of Spain’s continued efforts to adapt to challenging driving conditions and prioritise road safety. Stay informed and drive safely!

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

We were driving at 50 kilometres per hour when a snow plowing Toyota high ace flew past at least double what we were doing but I must say they do clear the snow quickly LOL

 

[Mick and Ruth]

We were driving at 50 kilometres per hour when a snow plowing Toyota high ace flew past at least double what we were doing but I must say they do clear the snow quickly LOL

Wouldn’t be a bad idea if they introduced the emergency corridor action on our dual carriageways.

 

[MichaelT]

Wouldn’t be a bad idea if they introduced the emergency corridor action on our dual carriageways.

I was wondering why they asked for this when in the 1st direction they tell you to stay on inside lane.

They have the same rule in Germany and as far as I can tell even on motorways with hard shoulders

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

We were driving at 50 kilometres per hour when a snow plowing Toyota high ace flew past at least double what we were doing but I must say they do clear the snow quickly LOL

It might have been the Polar Express?
We had one pass us a while ago, the front of the vehicle got thoroughly pebble dashed with rock salt!!
Mike.

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[Just smiffy]

Wouldn’t be a bad idea if they introduced the emergency corridor action on our dual carriageways.

But then you’ll always get some knob in a kontiki driving down the middle…

 

[Mick and Ruth]

I was wondering why they asked for this when in the 1st direction they tell you to stay on inside lane.

They have the same rule in Germany and as far as I can tell even on motorways with hard shoulders

I have seen it in action in Germany and was impressed by it, but when some people don’t have an idea of lane discipline over here what chance have we got

 

[Mick and Ruth]

But then you’ll always get some knob in a kontiki driving down the middle…

If I identify as a motorcyclist can I use the hard shoulder

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

If I identify as a motorcyclist can I use the hard shoulder

As long as you can keep the van on two wheels

 

[Just smiffy]

If I identify as a motorcyclist can I use the hard shoulder

When people in cars move over in traffic for motorbikes I always shout if you move a little bit more I can get down there too…

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[InvictaMoto]

Sounds sensible.

 

[Zentex]

Adverse Weather Conditions - New Rules

by Car Registrations Spain

Driving in snow and icy conditions on Spanish motorways just got safer and more organised in Spain, thanks to updates to Article 31 of the General Traffic Regulations, due to be introduced in January 2025. These new measures are designed to improve safety and traffic flow during adverse weather. Here’s what you need to know:

Stay in the Right Lane

During heavy snow or ice, vehicles must stick to the right-hand lane only. The left-hand lane is now strictly reserved for emergency vehicles and snowplows to keep the roads clear and provide swift assistance when needed.

Creating Emergency Corridors

If traffic comes to a halt or slows to a crawl, drivers are now required to form an emergency corridor by moving their vehicles to the edges of the road. This creates a clear path in the middle for emergency services. Failing to comply can result in a hefty €200 fine.

Motorbikes and the Hard Shoulder

Motorcyclists have been granted special permission to use the hard shoulder in cases of heavy traffic, as long as they don’t exceed 30 km/h. This helps ease congestion while ensuring rider safety.

No Overtaking Allowed

Overtaking on snow-covered motorways is no longer permitted. All vehicles must keep to the designated lane and avoid risky manoeuvres, ensuring smoother and safer traffic flow.

These updates are part of Spain’s continued efforts to adapt to challenging driving conditions and prioritise road safety. Stay informed and drive safely!

I think they are following German guidance on that then where in any accident they expect everyone to move over to the right to allow a free lane for emergency vehicles

 

[Peavy]

I think they are following German guidance on that then where in any accident they expect everyone to move over to the right to allow a free lane for emergency vehicles

We are finally beginning to think like the Germans, hurrah! Forget all the prejudices you had about us

 

[Tim P]

We were involved in that exact scenario in action in Germany on a motorway. All traffic pulled over to the right leaving the 2 centre lanes free for emergency vehicles to come and go. It worked perfectly...Oh and this was in 2002, yes 22 years ago. Why the rest of the world hasn't taken it up is beyond me.

 

[Paddlers]

We've been very impressed with the Spanish (non toll ) motorways and their lane discipline . Also their approach to cyclists with lots of separate lanes that don't interrupt the traffic flow but pedestrians just marching out onto the crossings can be a challenge !! First time for us and we'll certainly be back !!

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[BikerGraham]

We were involved in that exact scenario in action in Germany on a motorway. All traffic pulled over to the right leaving the 2 centre lanes free for emergency vehicles to come and go. It worked perfectly...Oh and this was in 2002, yes 22 years ago. Why the rest of the world hasn't taken it up is beyond me.

Came across that this year a few times in a Germany.

Just thought they were being very polite and letting me and my son on our motorbikes get past them all without being held up

 

[BikerJon]

Adverse Weather Conditions - New Rules

by Car Registrations Spain

Driving in snow and icy conditions on Spanish motorways just got safer and more organised in Spain, thanks to updates to Article 31 of the General Traffic Regulations, due to be introduced in January 2025. These new measures are designed to improve safety and traffic flow during adverse weather. Here’s what you need to know:

Stay in the Right Lane

During heavy snow or ice, vehicles must stick to the right-hand lane only. The left-hand lane is now strictly reserved for emergency vehicles and snowplows to keep the roads clear and provide swift assistance when needed.

Creating Emergency Corridors

If traffic comes to a halt or slows to a crawl, drivers are now required to form an emergency corridor by moving their vehicles to the edges of the road. This creates a clear path in the middle for emergency services. Failing to comply can result in a hefty €200 fine.

Motorbikes and the Hard Shoulder

Motorcyclists have been granted special permission to use the hard shoulder in cases of heavy traffic, as long as they don’t exceed 30 km/h. This helps ease congestion while ensuring rider safety.

No Overtaking Allowed

Overtaking on snow-covered motorways is no longer permitted. All vehicles must keep to the designated lane and avoid risky manoeuvres, ensuring smoother and safer traffic flow.

These updates are part of Spain’s continued efforts to adapt to challenging driving conditions and prioritise road safety. Stay informed and drive safely!

Does the motorcycle hard shoulder rule apply all year round?

 

[Barriesimpson]

If I identify as a motorcyclist can I use the hard shoulder

Only if you can drive the van on two wheels.

 

[Mick and Ruth]

Does the motorcycle hard shoulder rule apply all year round?

The way I read it is Article 31 is legislation on how to drive in adverse weather conditions including snow and ice, so I would think it relates only to the weather conditions and not all year round. Perhaps any of the Spainish members can clarify?