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Por carreterra Facts and links |  |
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Los atascos, traffic jams, are a common problem in Spanish big cities and la educación de los conductores, drivers' manners, an equally big one. However, road rage is mostly verbal, and all you will witness is a lot of shouting.
The same happens over los puentes. Although it literally means bridge, un puente is also the period that bridges a holiday that falls on a Thursday or Tuesday with the weekend, turning the Friday or Monday in between into a holiday as well. Las carreteras nacionales, main roads, appear in red on road maps with numbers NI to NVI, and have a 90km speed limit. Las autopistas, motorways, are labelled A on maps. They have a 120km speed limit and demand el peaje, a toll fee, calculated by kilometre. Signs and directions around major towns for las carreteras locales, local roads, will be green with white lettering, whereas motorway directions will be in blue and white. If you are going to drive, there are some basic rules and signs that you should look out for. First and foremost, in Spain and Latin America you drive on the right, and in Spain el cinturón de seguridad, seatbelt, is compulsory. One of the most important rules to look out for in Spain is Ceda el paso, Give way. To avoid getting your car towed away, look out also for Vado permanente, No parking at any time. The curb will also be painted yellow to help you spot this, and there may also be signs indicating the threat of la grúa, literally the crane or tow truck. Links Dirección General de Tráfico - Spain's Traffic Authority Driving in Spain - a guide These links are included for educational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the BBC of the products or services featured. |
One of the worst cases of congestion is the start of the summer holiday season. An estimated 65 million travellers embark on the customary mad dash out of the hot town centres to holiday destinations. This mass exodus is now known as