Spanish police explain how drivers should react to ambulances in a hurry
Thursday, February 17, 2022 @ 10:39 PM
TRAFFIC police in Spain have explained how drivers should react if an ambulance or fire engine comes hurtling down the road with its sirens blaring – and point out that moving aside to let them past is not just about community spirit, but actually a legal requirement.
Whilst the overwhelming majority of motorists automatically react to let an emergency vehicle through, considering it their moral duty, if they failed to do so they could be fined €200 and lose points from their driving licences.
Spanish licences start off with 12 points, and these are deducted for breaches of traffic regulations, with an automatic ban at zero – the opposite system to countries such as the UK which start with zero and points are added, leading to a ban when the total reaches 12.
Unlike in the UK, though, where points are automatically 'spent' after a set period of time, recovering lost points in Spain means taking officially-approved courses at driving schools, which are State-run and physical premises.
National Police explain that if an ambulance or fire engine with the sirens and lights active is heading down a single-carriageway road, whether in a built-up area or an open trunk road, drivers should automatically veer towards the pavement or hard shoulder – their right-hand side, or the passenger seat side if they are in a standard continental car.
If the pavement is clear and the kerb sufficiently low to do so safely, drivers should ideally try to mount it to create even more space, especially where the road is narrow.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com