It is always good to make a summary of the traffic laws. These are laws that, despite being learned at one time or another, can be forgotten. In addition, the fact that they are changed from time to time can lead to confusion. Therefore, in this post we will clarify any doubts you may have regarding the traffic laws that are most often forgotten. Take note of what comes next so that you do not commit a traffic offence unintentionally.
There are some traffic laws that are easier to forget than others. For example, I’m sure you’ve never forgotten that when you see the word “STOP” you have to bring the car to a complete stop. However, you may have doubts when it comes to other laws that are not so clear. Let’s refresh some of the most forgotten.
Using a mobile is prohibited when driving. However, many people continue to use it, either because they do not think it is so serious, or because they forget this traffic law.
In any case, remember that using a mobile while you are at the wheel is an offence that can lead to having between 3-6 penalty points put on your driving record, in addition to a fine.
Although eating or drinking while driving is not prohibited in itself, it is true that you can be fined for any activity that distracts you from driving. Article 18.1 of the General Traffic Law does not specify that you cannot smoke, eat, drink or put on lipstick while driving.
However, it does state that the driver must have freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision for driving, as well as paying full attention while driving. Therefore, implicitly, eating and drinking while driving may violate this law. Therefore, it is not recommended.
If you cycle, there are also some traffic laws that you must obey. For example, the right of way on a zebra crossings. When it comes to a zebra crossing, a cyclist does not have right of way. This is because right of way is only for pedestrians, so, for the cyclist, to have right of way, he/she must get off the bike and cross on foot.
However, cyclists do have right of way on a zebra crossing when they are in a bike lane, or, when there is no bike lane and they cycle along the shoulder.
Cyclists or motorcyclists also often cause car drivers to have doubts when overtaking. We all know that we must leave a distance of at least one and a half metres between the car and the other vehicle in front.
This is for safety reasons and you must take this into account when overtaking them, as they are at a significant disadvantage due to not having bodywork that protects them.
But, in addition, you may wonder: what happens if there is a straight stretch of road and a cyclist? You can overtake a bike on a straight stretch of road as long as you can respect the aforementioned distance.
You can even take up the entire opposite lane for the manoeuvre. But remember not to do it if a vehicle is approaching head-on (car, motorcycle or bike) or if it is a dangerous stretch of road to overtake on.
The horn has a single function in your car: to warn others of the vehicle’s approach or presence, or to call attention to some hazard. However, they are more often used for a purpose other than the one they were designed for. Greeting a friend, complaining about a bad manoeuvre, warning the driver in front that the traffic light has turned green or venting your frustration in a traffic jam are not the correct uses of the horn and, therefore, constitute an offense.
For drivers who have had their license for under a year and need to have the famous “L” on their vehicle, there are some doubts about the correct place to put the “L”. The “L” should be visible from the outside of the car and should be placed in the upper left corner of the rear window.
Furthermore, driving with this “L” if you are not a new driver also constitutes a traffic offence, so we recommend you remove it if you share a car with a new driver.
This rule will be very easy to remember: throwing objects through the window of the car to the outside is completely prohibited. It is considered a minor infraction when leaving, dumping or throwing objects or materials. If you do, you can be fined anywhere between 100 and 3,800 euros. And in the event that it affects the condition of the road, it can be considered a serious offence with fines ranging from 3,800 to almost 9,800 euros, along with 4 penalty points.
How to use roundabouts is one of the traffic laws that causes the most doubts. However, they are very simple to use and, in addition, one of the most efficient crossing systems.
When you enter a roundabout, the lane to choose depends on where you will leave the roundabout. If you intend to exit at the first available exit, you must enter from the right lane. Otherwise, in order not to obstruct traffic, you must enter the roundabout from the left lane. Of course, remember that, before leaving the roundabout again, you must move to the right lane, since, as it is permitted to enter directly from the left, it is prohibited to leave directly from this.
The left and centre lanes are not to be driven on when it is more comfortable for us or when we feel like it. The traffic laws clearly state that you must always use the right lane, and in case you need to overtake or if there is traffic congestion, go to the others. But, remember, you should only use the other lanes when overtaking or when you cannot stay on the right.
The traffic laws can cause doubts, but we hope that, with these reminders that we have given you, you will have a better idea about them now. It is essential to know them and have them fresh in your mind in order to avoid fines or penalties, but, above all, it is important to know them in order to prevent an accident.
