confused

Hi, Whilst driving I frequently encounter pedestrians strolling across a road oblivious to my car. when using the horn I am met with waving arms and shouting. Perhaps I am missing something. Do pedestrians have right of way on a road other than  pedestrian crossings. I dont drive on the pavement so expect pedestrians so give way to me on roads.

I would be interested to know whats what. Thanks

Nice one pff001. yes I am

It is a quaint old Spanish custom to amble across the road oblivious to other road users.

very popular amongst little old widows dressed in black, who have the right at any time to suddenly appear from between parked cars,  and wave their arms at any driver who dares to sound a warning horn.

it's compulsory to take as long as possible to cross the road 3 metres from a crossing, and if possible, have a long chat. Whole families enjoy standing in the middle of the road, catching up on the gossip.

pavements must not be used for walking on( if only because of the dog mess!) push chairs should be pushed into the road in front of the parents so the children  are in maximum danger.

The Police do not like to admonish the jaywalkers , snd spoil their fun, as Spanish customs are already dying out, and this is one they want to preserve.

immerse yourelf in Spanish culture- try  jay walking yourself; it is a liberating experience.

If you are turning into another road, left or right, and there is no pedestrian control on that road, say a red light for pedestrians, then they have the right of way.

As in UK, pedestrians (never cyclists using the crossing) have right of way on a pedestrian crossing but only if they  are using it. So standing waiting to cross does not mean a car must stop.  One foot on the cross means stop.   But again like in  UK, a crossing with a centre reservation,  mean s either side is treated as an individual crossing. So a person cross the opposite lane towards the reservation does not mean a driver going the other way needs to stop.

It is illegal to use the horn in a town except in an emergency situation.

Nicbax.   May I suggest you get a copy of the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code (either in Public Library of buy form a driving school).   I suspect there may be a lot more about driving in Spain which you are not aware of.

There's a lot about driving in general that most Spanish are unaware of, too! Common courtesy to other road users (vehicular or pedestrian) is one such point. The people who gesticulate angrily at you for alerting them to your presence while they are ambling casually across the path of oncoming traffic without so much as a glance in either direction are the same ones who blindly speed through a red light when you are trying to (legally & correctly) cross the road. The police do not admonish any of this behaviour, since they are as guilty as any. As I type this, there is a patrol car parked on the pedestrian crossing outside my home, while the two cops are enjoying their morning coffee in the cafe over the road.

Take care out there!

Hi, Thank you all for your views and humour. I think I shall fit some sturdy Bull Bars and Italian air horns.