Highway code
Jan 2nd 2014 | 4:45 am
#16
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 17,507
From: On Top of the World
Re: Highway code
There are a few alterations to the Portuguese highway code for 2014 and there will be 300 euro fines for anyone who does not use a roundabout the way the Portuguese want you to! (for us who took the test in the UK.... thats the wrong way!!
i.e you only use the outisde lane(right hand) if you are taking the 1st exit) GNR are expected to be posted on many roundabouts to catch people! I predict lots of fines and lots of accidents due to people afraid to getting it wrong on roundabouts, perhaps many will just circle the roundabout till they run out of fuel or the GNR leave, whatever comes 1st?!
There will be 20kph zones introduced also with town/city centres, not that it will slow em down!
A relaxing of height restrictions for child chairs in cars, before it was any child under 150cm had to be in a child chair, now its 135cm I believe.
Also new and significant to us expats(although I am unsure of how it was before) we must change to a PT licence within 2 years of becoming resident!
Not highway code but changes are expected to car importing too... no doubt to make it more complicated and expensive!
There are some more changes but the above is what I remember as being relevant!
i.e you only use the outisde lane(right hand) if you are taking the 1st exit) GNR are expected to be posted on many roundabouts to catch people! I predict lots of fines and lots of accidents due to people afraid to getting it wrong on roundabouts, perhaps many will just circle the roundabout till they run out of fuel or the GNR leave, whatever comes 1st?! There will be 20kph zones introduced also with town/city centres, not that it will slow em down! A relaxing of height restrictions for child chairs in cars, before it was any child under 150cm had to be in a child chair, now its 135cm I believe.Also new and significant to us expats(although I am unsure of how it was before) we must change to a PT licence within 2 years of becoming resident!
Not highway code but changes are expected to car importing too... no doubt to make it more complicated and expensive!
There are some more changes but the above is what I remember as being relevant!
Jan 2nd 2014 | 5:46 am
#17
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From: Beliche
Re: Highway code
Personally I think that people who stay in the outside lane and go all the way around the roundabout are a liability and if this new law puts an end to it then all the better. Having said that, one law doesn't fit all circumstances. I can think of many roundabouts where having to go to the left lane (as you are not exiting at the first exit) and then cutting across to leave at the second exit would also be dangerous - if not more so.
I hope that the GNR will use discresion but I have never seen them use it before so I doubt they will now.....
I hope that the GNR will use discresion but I have never seen them use it before so I doubt they will now.....
Jan 2nd 2014 | 6:05 am
#18
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Re: Highway code
If everyone follows the new rules there won't be any problem 'cutting across to leave at the second exit' because there shouldn't be anyone to cut across.
Jan 2nd 2014 | 7:00 am
#20
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Re: Highway code
But only if...
Jan 2nd 2014 | 11:22 am
#21
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From: Amarante
Re: Highway code
Hmm where can I get a dash cam for the enevitable?
Jan 2nd 2014 | 11:35 am
#22
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Re: Highway code
You'll need one of Google's camera cars as you wont know which way to point it.
Jan 2nd 2014 | 7:55 pm
#23
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From: mainly Scotland sometimes Olhao
Re: Highway code
But if you approach your 1st exit then find its the wrong one because the exit is marked indistinctly or incorrectly. What then? Take it anyway or just carry on in the same lane or switch to the lane nearest the roundabout and circulate until you find the correct exit?
Jan 2nd 2014 | 7:56 pm
#24
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Re: Highway code
Personally I think that people who stay in the outside lane and go all the way around the roundabout are a liability and if this new law puts an end to it then all the better. Having said that, one law doesn't fit all circumstances. I can think of many roundabouts where having to go to the left lane (as you are not exiting at the first exit) and then cutting across to leave at the second exit would also be dangerous - if not more so.
I hope that the GNR will use discresion but I have never seen them use it before so I doubt they will now.....
I hope that the GNR will use discresion but I have never seen them use it before so I doubt they will now.....
Jan 2nd 2014 | 9:06 pm
#25
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 105
Re: Highway code
Agreed. Personally the biggest surprise on this thread was that people thought it was different in the UK. WHen I took the test - and that's a good few years ago - I was taught that you should be in the left lane only if taking the first exit (or if clearly marked otherwise) and progress gradually outwards (ie in a spiral) until you reach your exit. I've always cursed those drivers that creep right round the outside of roundabouts causing mayhem. Most big roundabouts have the lanes marked exactly like this. So the 'new' rules are actually bringing the Portuguse into line with the harmonised EU traffic regulations.
Whilst 'we' should be able to get our heads around it, I am dreading the confusion it's going to cause among our 'hosts' who will no doubt bleat that they've done it the 'other' way for years.
4 dash-cam's should just about cover it.
Jan 2nd 2014 | 9:49 pm
#26
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Re: Highway code
Well, we made it to Faro and back - without any problems
but we did go early
I have never seen so many drivers use their indicators though
One question - on a road that has two lanes - which lane should you be in if going straight ahead, even though there is a right turn on the roundabout?
We watched a variety of variations of the usage of lanes and although the police were about, they weren't stopping any-one - at least, not on the big one by Faro Hospital.
but we did go earlyI have never seen so many drivers use their indicators though
One question - on a road that has two lanes - which lane should you be in if going straight ahead, even though there is a right turn on the roundabout?
We watched a variety of variations of the usage of lanes and although the police were about, they weren't stopping any-one - at least, not on the big one by Faro Hospital.
Jan 2nd 2014 | 11:42 pm
#27
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Re: Highway code
Start in the left lane (indicating left), enter the roundabout's inside lane, start indicating right and as you pass the first exit on your right start moving to the outside lane from which you can take either of the two exit lanes. You can then stop indicating right ... and breathe.
Jan 2nd 2014 | 11:48 pm
#28
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Re: Highway code
That's what we thought, but no-one was doing that on the 125 this morning
Otherwise, we'd all have to go to the inside lane and surely that would cause traffic jams? especially in the mornings
Otherwise, we'd all have to go to the inside lane and surely that would cause traffic jams? especially in the mornings
Jan 3rd 2014 | 4:59 am
#29
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From: Alcobaça
Re: Highway code
There was a report in todays press in which Paulo Rodrigues who is the President of ASPP one of the police unions was quoted as saying.
"We are still waiting on full confirmation & relevant paper work from the Ministro da Administraçâo Interna a Sr Miguel Macedo over the new changes to Highway Code"
Reading between the lines could this mean they can't enforce them until there notified ?
"We are still waiting on full confirmation & relevant paper work from the Ministro da Administraçâo Interna a Sr Miguel Macedo over the new changes to Highway Code"
Reading between the lines could this mean they can't enforce them until there notified ?
Jan 3rd 2014 | 5:48 am
#30
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From: mainly Scotland sometimes Olhao
Re: Highway code
The road approaching the roundabout from Olhao is extremely tight just barely enough room for two lanes. Immediately arriving at the roundabout there is a very nearby right exit which is busy as it take you down to Univ at Penina.
Often at peak times you cant get to the offside lane. Up to now if going straight ahead on the road to the aeroporto I have always stuck to the nearside lane entering the roundabout just staying to the outside and by-passing the first exit on the right.
