20 New Rules to Remember for Spanish Road Users

i do not really wish to become involved with the posturing that is going on in this thread, but what baz1946 says about "snitching" on people concerns me a little. How would he feel about snitching if he knew someone didnt comply with traffic regulations, and soon after, due to his inaction, they drove down his local high street and ran over his wife and kids, killing them all. How would he square this with his conscience when his lack of "snitching" encroached on his own life and family?

i do not really wish to become involved with the posturing that is going on in this thread, but what baz1946 says about "snitching" on people concerns me a little. How would he feel about snitching if he knew someone didnt comply with traffic regulations, and soon after, due to his inaction, they drove down his local high street and ran over his wife and kids, killing them all. How would he square this with his conscience when his lack of "snitching" encroached on his own life and family?

No posturing on my part I can assure you.

Very good question as well, if the shoe were on the other foot and you snitched on this person thats okay, if you didn't, still okay by me. 

Word it in the worst way you can about this because doing it this way makes the poster feel good about the question....Now lets see how you would re-act if heaven forbid it was your Dad / Mum / Son etc etc in the same position and someone else "Snitched" on them, first words out your mouth would be "Whats it to do with them" and don't even mention this wouldn't happen because you would do it first.

Everyone has to live by the conscience they have just because I choose not to snitch on someone with cancer to his insurance company or police, and I say again, he has told his insurance company and they didn't seem to be bothered once it was logged, perhaps down to the many who have cancer and still drive,  I don't know.

If you read my 1st post carefully you should see how it was worded in response to the original post, then someone else twists it all around by saying I am the villain because I should inform the authorities about the car insurance and if I don't I am as bad as the cancer sufferer because he drove, WHICH HE HASN'T, and I never said he has,  yet if I did snitch, I all of a sudden then become the hero..Don't think so.

 The post was about cancer sufferers not driving in Spain...No one but one has admitted they knew this law was even in force, so what do you do now then, ask every time someone offers you a lift...."You don't have cancer..Do you? suppose you all are now sitting in the sun just waiting for that person to come out of the bar and get in the car to drive...Not forgetting the zero policy on drink / driving in case they kill someone's family.

No-one else has commented on the invidious development contained in the new rules, regarding pedestrians. I see this as a move towards a police state - in what other countries would the police be encouraged to pick up on someone who has crossed the road in the wrong place? A friend of mine had it happen to her in Kiev once and, of course had to pay a fine in cash to the undoubtedly corrupt police officer.

In our part of Spain, as I have said, we already feel harassed and terrorised by the police/extorters of cash, so much so that when we are there we severely restrict our car journeys, and I'm thus very concerned about this new development. Of course there will be fines attached as money collection seems to be the raison d'etre of the Guardia Civil - but presumably it will be an officer from another of the many Spanish police forces (I won't call them police 'services') who undertakes these money-raising endeavours.

Any intelligent comments or observations about this would be welcomed - and might stop all the off-thread arguing (unless of course, as often happens, someone now has a personal dig at me...).

eggcup

in what other countries would the police be encouraged to pick up on someone who has crossed the road in the wrong place? 

Well, you've already mentioned Kiev. And don't go to America if you don't want to be done for crossing the road in the wrong place and woe betide if you cross when the hand is on red. Singapore has warnings that a 3 month jail sentence can be imposed for "jaywalking" and is strictly imposed. In New Zealand, there is an on the spot $35 fine for adults and even a $10 for children for crossing the road at a non-designated crossing. 

However, it is a little strange to most people in Europe. Then again, seeing the way some Brit holidaymakers take their lives in their hands along the N322 in the Orihuela Costa area I can see why these rules need to be brought in. I have even seen Mums pushing their pushchairs in front of them to cross the extremely busy dual carriageway there. 

I'll bet ian is sorry he raised this subject now. 

Here we go again, the usual suspects displaying their ignorance of the law.

The new law is with regard to Drug and Alcohol testing.  

‘Jay Walking’  as in many other countries, including Northern Ireland,   has been an offence in Spain for over at least 50 years.

Why don't people coming to Spain (especially those owning property and/or living here)  take the trouble to read the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code, so that they will be safer when walking,  and when driving,  will less likely to put others at risk.

Of course, not knowing the law, often does not deter ‘some’ from posting unfounded criticism of Spain, based on their ignorance of the law.  

Baz1946, with regard to what you pointed out regarding notifiable diseases and reporting them to the authorities on your driving licence, may i just inform you that i have a UK licence and a disease that is not an "informable" disease but that it is controlled by drugs and diet that make it somewhat more risky in my opinion to drive than someone who has cancer. Although it is not informable , due to its characteristics and the drugs i take , the DVLA like to know , and to monitor my condition while holding a licence, and i might add i am happy to comply with their requirements, and i would be glad , and even expect someone to "snitch" on me if i didnt disclose, as otherwise i could be driving in a condition that would be unsafe for everyone, me included!

Baz1946, with regard to what you pointed out regarding notifiable diseases and reporting them to the authorities on your driving licence, may i just inform you that i have a UK licence and a disease that is not an "informable" disease but that it is controlled by drugs and diet that make it somewhat more risky in my opinion to drive than someone who has cancer. Although it is not informable , due to its characteristics and the drugs i take , the DVLA like to know , and to monitor my condition while holding a licence, and i might add i am happy to comply with their requirements, and i would be glad , and even expect someone to "snitch" on me if i didnt disclose, as otherwise i could be driving in a condition that would be unsafe for everyone, me included!

Yes, Robertt, fully agree on the taking of these drugs can impede your driving, and anything else in the day to day living for that matter.

But my post didn't mention anything about this person driving, which he doesn't do, due to his illness, I mearly pointed out in response to the original post that if the doctors know he shouldn't drive, and told him so, but they cannot report it, it seemed, for the want of better words,  strange that they know but cant do anything about it, and I think they, doctors, should tell the DVLA, who better?

I made no mention in the first place of insurance companies what so ever, someone else did that, fact is he has told his insurance company, so it's pointless for me to "Snitch"  on him,  of course the poster that told me "I was as bad as him" didn't know this but still felt he is smart enough to tell everyone else to do everything correct, when himself he is just as bad,  and why should I have posted something that really had no bearing on the 1st post, and the answer I gave anyway?

I do apologise to the many who think I must be some sort of weird B*****D because I wont snitch, for reasons that I have and are of no business of anyone's but mine.  I do draw the line at some things though. 

I wont stand back and let a person (Any person) slag me of just to let them prove to anyone who will listen they are the chosen "Golden One" especially when known they are not whiter then white. It got out of hand a bit but only because I stood up to his and other answers.

How does anyone draw the line on this 'Snitching on" people, everyday normal folk do a thousand things that they shouldn't do, snitch on them by all means if that gives pleasure, but be careful you don't ruin their life for no good reason These latest sex scandel (Children & stars) case's could be used as a prime example.

Baz 1946 , i take on board what you say in your last thread , but your final paragraph,

"How does anyone draw the line on this 'Snitching on" people, everyday normal folk do a thousand things that they shouldn't do, snitch on them by all means if that gives pleasure, but be careful you don't ruin their life for no good reason These latest sex scandel (Children & stars) case's could be used as a prime example."

i find raises a point or two about "snitching". I dont think you need to draw a line on it, as my dear departed father taught us that "if you tell the truth you shame the devil" Therefore if an accusation is untrue, the truth will prevail, and the person accused will have nothing to fear. (and the accuser will look somewhat stupid). I have found this to hold true during my lifetime, so snitchers carry on.

  The other point you raise is ruining someones life by things such as the current stars on trial for historical sex offences, and i personally feel that the law should be upheld, but in the event of ANY court action, not just sex offences, i think there should be more anonimity of the accused, and the accuser, until the trial is over. This would most likely result in a fair trial, and the right outcome. When the trial is over let the person , if found guilty be exposed to the full glare of public inspection, as to do as we do now, i feel prejudges a case, and maybe influences a decision, and surely under English law, is not a person innocent UNTIL FOUND GUILTY? This would only happen after a fair trial, which i dont believe is the case presently.

well thats it, as i think, maybe, i have travelled some distance off subject..........  

Robertt.

Your Dad was very correct "Tell the truth shame the devil" good old fashioned words, and yes the truth does..Sometimes...Prevail, but don't you think that fitted in more with 'So who stole the last biscuit then?" rather then the snitch,  I think, and this only me,  but the moment you decide to snitch on someone and do it, the damage has been done, truth or otherwise, the accused then has the devils own job of maybe getting to the truth, and as we all know mud sticks, as I am sure will be the case with many of the stars who have been let of, how many people will when talking of the charity work "So and so star" does, say something like "Oh that pervert you mean..No smoke without fire" and so it goes on.

To know 100% and snitch is a different ball game, if you can justify doing it,   the post that started this was not even about snitching, even though it was me that did say the word in answer, it was actually something quite different.

I also agree fully about the accused should have the same anominity as any so called victim until such times, I differ somewhat about being innocent until proved guilty, the way our system seems to be heading these days it's more like the other way around.

I wouldn't worry to much about going of track, different opinions are good to have roughtly based on the subject in hand.

Where do you get the idea that doctos in UK can't tell the DVLA about driving impairements. There is a huge booklet the GPs have which tells them all about condition that should be reported. In the first instance, the GP tells the patient they should inform DVLA when they have been diagnosed with a condition that may affect their driving, diabetes is one big one.

If the patient continues to drive without informing the DVLA the GP should inform the patient that he/she will inform the DVLA. If the patient still continues to drive, the GP completes a letter to the DVLA and sends a copy to the patients informing him/her that they have done so. DVLA booklet (FD9 I think) lays it all down and includes the conditions which the driver should inform the DVLA and the insurance company about.

In fact, this is a copy of the GP guidelines on the matter.

1. The DVLA is legally responsible for deciding if a person is medically unfit to drive. They need to know when driving licence holders have a condition, which may, now or in the future, affect their safety as a driver

2. Therefore, where patients have such conditions, you should:

Make sure that the patients understand that the condition may impair their ability to drive. If a patient is incapable of understanding this advice, for example because of dementia, you should inform the DVLA immediately

Explain to patients that they have a legal duty to inform the DVLA about the condition

3. If the patients refuse to accept the diagnosis or the effect of the condition on their ability to drive, you can suggest that the patients seek a second opinion, and make appropriate arrangements for the patients to do so. You should advise patients not to drive until the second opinion has been obtained

4. If patients continue to drive when they are not fit to do so, you should make every reasonable effort to persuade them to stop. This may include telling their next of kin

5. If you do not manage to persuade patients to stop driving, or you are given or find evidence that a patient is continuing to drive contrary to advice, you should disclose relevant medical information immediately, in confidence, to the medical adviser at DVLA

6. Before giving information to the DVLA you should inform the patient of your decision to do so. Once the DVLA has been informed, you should also write to the patient, to confirm that a disclosure has been made

Where do you get the idea that doctos in UK can't tell the DVLA about driving impairements.

From the Doctor who treated him, I was their when the Doctor told him that he can only advise him that he cant / shouldn't drive again, the Doctor told him that it was his responsibility to inform DVLA of this illness. 

As far as I am aware of no booklet has been given to him on what he can do or what he cant do.

Where do you get the idea that doctos in UK can't tell the DVLA about driving impairements.

I answered....From the Doctor who treated him, I was their when the Doctor told him that he can only advise him that he cant / shouldn't drive again, the Doctor told him that it was his responsibility to inform DVLA of this illness. 

As far as I am aware of no booklet has been given to him on what he can do or what he cant do.

So what part of the answer above don't you like to warrant a "Thumbs" down then?

Was it perhaps the honest straight foreword NONE insulting way I answered the question?

Or even perhaps what the Doctor said?

Not me with the "thumbs down". Definitely not guilty, m'lud.
However, DVLA guidance is available to all GPs on their medical computer. EMIS, Vision Vamp, INPS and all other medical computer systems in the UK. Every surgery is given one hard copy and can purchase others at £4.50 if they so wish.
And I left General Practice 4 years ago.

This wasn't a GP who told him this, this was the hospital Doctor, the Doctor who told him he had cancer in the first place.

When I had my heart attack and subsequent surgery, I was told - by Glenfield Hospital, Leicester - that it was MY responsibility, not theirs, to inform DVLA and surrender my HGV licence.

I did the right thing.

Anyway, never mind driver illness or not, if any of these new rules does something about the cocky bu**ers driving around brazenly in foreign (mostly British) plated cars with no tax disc, no MoT, no ITV and therefore no insurance, then it gets my thumbs up 10/10!

Steve 

8. Ban on speed camera detectors and jammers. The new legislation expressly prohibits the use of speed camera detectors: .... Drivers with GPS devices incorporating speed camera detection capabilities will have to deactivate this option.

What do they mean by 'detectors'? Most GPS devices, including in mobile phones, don't 'detect' cameras. They merely have a database of cameras on them, usually downloaded or on a CD or DVD in a built-in satnav. Is this what they mean by 'detection'?

Sten46 wrote:

if any of these new rules does something about the cocky bu**ers driving around brazenly in foreign (mostly British) plated cars with no tax disc, no MoT, no ITV and therefore no insurance, then it gets my thumbs up 10/10!

Please don't assume that every British registered car you see in Spain is illegal. Many, many are long term tourists who quite legally choose to drive to Spain for a few months in the winter or save on hire changes in summer. The Biscay ferries from UK are much cheaper than they were and it makes sense to drive to Spain if you have a large family on holiday during school holidays when the airfares get expensive.

Norm

To alert and detect speed camaras in the road ahead, locators use one or more of three different technologies - these are GPS, Radar and Laser. GPS only devices rely solely on a database to warn of fixed and mobile safety cameras these are llegal to use in Spain. The type that detect or block the system as you approach are illegal to use.

Hi, first time poster here!  Can we clarify the new regs for foreign cars please? I drive to Spain every year in the Spring and drive back to UK in the Autumn. In between times we fly back and forth.  The car is never in use in  Spain for more than a month at a time and is never there in total for more than six months.  Whilst we are in UK the car is off the road in a locked garage.  Do I need to replate my car?  If I do then surely my insrance, MOT and Car Tax would be invalidated.  So would I also have to insure, test and tax my car in Spain? If I do replate my car what happens when I leave Spain - simply replace the plate with my UK one?  And what about next year.  Could I just screw the spoanish plate back on and take it off again when I leave.  Too many grey areas!  All comments will be apprecdiated.  Thanks.