Driving in Spain
Aug 7th 2009 | 8:24 am
#31
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,156
From: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Re: Driving in Spain
Thanks for that - I work to hard for my pennies - damned if I will give them away because of a painted line.
In Shetland we have one main roundabout and no traffic lights. Over the past couple of years we have had two mini roundabouts installed. Talk about confusion - it makes Spanish drivers look like perfect gents. By the way I am from England, so learnt to drive there not here - thank god. When the 1st roundabout was installed (near a supermarket) one of my neighbours tried to go shopping - he ended up going round it three times - came off and went home - no shopping. Had to stop for a six pack at the local shop to get over his shock.
We wave to everybody here on the single track roads - something they do not seem do in our Spanish village when we give way for somebody, is that the norm.
In Shetland we have one main roundabout and no traffic lights. Over the past couple of years we have had two mini roundabouts installed. Talk about confusion - it makes Spanish drivers look like perfect gents. By the way I am from England, so learnt to drive there not here - thank god. When the 1st roundabout was installed (near a supermarket) one of my neighbours tried to go shopping - he ended up going round it three times - came off and went home - no shopping. Had to stop for a six pack at the local shop to get over his shock.
We wave to everybody here on the single track roads - something they do not seem do in our Spanish village when we give way for somebody, is that the norm.
Aug 7th 2009 | 9:44 am
#32
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
From: Lincoln hope to be CDS
Re: Driving in Spain
My partner passed her test in East London and spent many years driving around the area. When we moved to Spain (and she had lived there before), she was terrified to drive.
Eventually I persuaded her that she was being silly. So she set off one day, in the narrow streets of Denia. She returned home without any wing mirrors, and has never driven in Spain since.
Eventually I persuaded her that she was being silly. So she set off one day, in the narrow streets of Denia. She returned home without any wing mirrors, and has never driven in Spain since.
Aug 7th 2009 | 8:49 pm
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 286
From: Malaga
Re: Driving in Spain
I think Spanish drivers are appauling they all have a death wish and unfortunetly want to take you with them. I used to drive backwards and forwards to the UK but I found it so dangerous that I have given that up. I used to be so pleased to get into France after driving through Spain. I know the French used to be bad years ago, but every journey short or long you are met with idiots who drive at top speed in peterstranised area, come at you on the wrong side of the road because they are trying to over take and cant quite make it but dont give up and slip back behind. The are absolutely loco!
I too have driven all over the world, although I dont know Italy but I can imagine that they are as bad. Any bit of straight road is treated as if were a race course.
Even after all my driving years there are now times when I dont go out in the car rush hour is one of them. I avoid that like the plaque ie in the morning up to 10.30am then between 1.30 and 2.00pm again at 4.30 to 5.50pm and 8.30 to 9pm. They constantly open car doors when they are parked. You do have to have eyes in the back of your head and watch and watch and watch
I too have driven all over the world, although I dont know Italy but I can imagine that they are as bad. Any bit of straight road is treated as if were a race course.
Even after all my driving years there are now times when I dont go out in the car rush hour is one of them. I avoid that like the plaque ie in the morning up to 10.30am then between 1.30 and 2.00pm again at 4.30 to 5.50pm and 8.30 to 9pm. They constantly open car doors when they are parked. You do have to have eyes in the back of your head and watch and watch and watch
Aug 7th 2009 | 9:21 pm
#34
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
From: Lincoln hope to be CDS
Re: Driving in Spain
I think Spanish drivers are appauling they all have a death wish and unfortunetly want to take you with them. I used to drive backwards and forwards to the UK but I found it so dangerous that I have given that up. I used to be so pleased to get into France after driving through Spain. I know the French used to be bad years ago, but every journey short or long you are met with idiots who drive at top speed in peterstranised area, come at you on the wrong side of the road because they are trying to over take and cant quite make it but dont give up and slip back behind. The are absolutely loco!
I too have driven all over the world, although I dont know Italy but I can imagine that they are as bad. Any bit of straight road is treated as if were a race course.
Even after all my driving years there are now times when I dont go out in the car rush hour is one of them. I avoid that like the plaque ie in the morning up to 10.30am then between 1.30 and 2.00pm again at 4.30 to 5.50pm and 8.30 to 9pm. They constantly open car doors when they are parked. You do have to have eyes in the back of your head and watch and watch and watch
I too have driven all over the world, although I dont know Italy but I can imagine that they are as bad. Any bit of straight road is treated as if were a race course.
Even after all my driving years there are now times when I dont go out in the car rush hour is one of them. I avoid that like the plaque ie in the morning up to 10.30am then between 1.30 and 2.00pm again at 4.30 to 5.50pm and 8.30 to 9pm. They constantly open car doors when they are parked. You do have to have eyes in the back of your head and watch and watch and watch
Aug 8th 2009 | 2:59 am
#35
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,156
From: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Aug 8th 2009 | 8:14 am
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 186
From: Moraira.
Re: Driving in Spain
Well I don't think it's too bad. Apart from the fact that as it's currently tourist season there are all sorts of idiots on the roads.
The Swiss and the Belgians can't seem to get out of second gear.
The Germans haven't yet found the indicators, but are generally OK.
Not spotted an Italian yet but I guess they're that bad that none have actually made it this far down the coast.
The Spanish just won't indicate, drive at random speeds irrespective of limits, and will grind to a halt in the middle of the road to look at a map or take a photo.
And then there's the Brits.
They will never admit to being lost. Violent changes of direction as they are unsure whether to turn or not. Often, from behind, you can see the wife in the passenger seat with a map obscuring most of the windscreen and the husband frantically trying to keep calm. They drive the wrong way up one way streets and when they realise they are convinced that the proper thing to do is continue to the end.
They drive on the wrong side of the road. A lot.
Once I saw one going the wrong way around a roundabout. Stupidity of that magnitude requires dedication.
And while I'm on and ranting, I had to drive around Valencia a couple of times last week and that was probably the scariest road trip I've had.
I was at huge crossroads with four lanes on my carriageway (so about 15 in total), the lights change, no lines on the road, crikey, get across the crossroads to find...... 3 lanes. All this with scooters buzzing past like wasps.
Sorry for all that.
I'll get me coat.
Ste.
The Swiss and the Belgians can't seem to get out of second gear.
The Germans haven't yet found the indicators, but are generally OK.
Not spotted an Italian yet but I guess they're that bad that none have actually made it this far down the coast.
The Spanish just won't indicate, drive at random speeds irrespective of limits, and will grind to a halt in the middle of the road to look at a map or take a photo.
And then there's the Brits.
They will never admit to being lost. Violent changes of direction as they are unsure whether to turn or not. Often, from behind, you can see the wife in the passenger seat with a map obscuring most of the windscreen and the husband frantically trying to keep calm. They drive the wrong way up one way streets and when they realise they are convinced that the proper thing to do is continue to the end.
They drive on the wrong side of the road. A lot.
Once I saw one going the wrong way around a roundabout. Stupidity of that magnitude requires dedication.
And while I'm on and ranting, I had to drive around Valencia a couple of times last week and that was probably the scariest road trip I've had.
I was at huge crossroads with four lanes on my carriageway (so about 15 in total), the lights change, no lines on the road, crikey, get across the crossroads to find...... 3 lanes. All this with scooters buzzing past like wasps.
Sorry for all that.
I'll get me coat.
Ste.
Aug 9th 2009 | 1:33 am
#37
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
From: Lincoln hope to be CDS
Re: Driving in Spain
Well I don't think it's too bad. Apart from the fact that as it's currently tourist season there are all sorts of idiots on the roads.
The Swiss and the Belgians can't seem to get out of second gear.
The Germans haven't yet found the indicators, but are generally OK.
Not spotted an Italian yet but I guess they're that bad that none have actually made it this far down the coast.
The Spanish just won't indicate, drive at random speeds irrespective of limits, and will grind to a halt in the middle of the road to look at a map or take a photo.
And then there's the Brits.
They will never admit to being lost. Violent changes of direction as they are unsure whether to turn or not. Often, from behind, you can see the wife in the passenger seat with a map obscuring most of the windscreen and the husband frantically trying to keep calm. They drive the wrong way up one way streets and when they realise they are convinced that the proper thing to do is continue to the end.
They drive on the wrong side of the road. A lot.
Once I saw one going the wrong way around a roundabout. Stupidity of that magnitude requires dedication.
And while I'm on and ranting, I had to drive around Valencia a couple of times last week and that was probably the scariest road trip I've had.
I was at huge crossroads with four lanes on my carriageway (so about 15 in total), the lights change, no lines on the road, crikey, get across the crossroads to find...... 3 lanes. All this with scooters buzzing past like wasps.
Sorry for all that.
I'll get me coat.
Ste.
The Swiss and the Belgians can't seem to get out of second gear.
The Germans haven't yet found the indicators, but are generally OK.
Not spotted an Italian yet but I guess they're that bad that none have actually made it this far down the coast.
The Spanish just won't indicate, drive at random speeds irrespective of limits, and will grind to a halt in the middle of the road to look at a map or take a photo.
And then there's the Brits.
They will never admit to being lost. Violent changes of direction as they are unsure whether to turn or not. Often, from behind, you can see the wife in the passenger seat with a map obscuring most of the windscreen and the husband frantically trying to keep calm. They drive the wrong way up one way streets and when they realise they are convinced that the proper thing to do is continue to the end.
They drive on the wrong side of the road. A lot.
Once I saw one going the wrong way around a roundabout. Stupidity of that magnitude requires dedication.
And while I'm on and ranting, I had to drive around Valencia a couple of times last week and that was probably the scariest road trip I've had.
I was at huge crossroads with four lanes on my carriageway (so about 15 in total), the lights change, no lines on the road, crikey, get across the crossroads to find...... 3 lanes. All this with scooters buzzing past like wasps.
Sorry for all that.
I'll get me coat.
Ste.
So not good then lol!
Aug 9th 2009 | 11:48 pm
#38
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 536
Re: Driving in Spain
Well I don't think it's too bad. Apart from the fact that as it's currently tourist season there are all sorts of idiots on the roads.
The Swiss and the Belgians can't seem to get out of second gear.
The Germans haven't yet found the indicators, but are generally OK.
Not spotted an Italian yet but I guess they're that bad that none have actually made it this far down the coast.
The Spanish just won't indicate, drive at random speeds irrespective of limits, and will grind to a halt in the middle of the road to look at a map or take a photo.
And then there's the Brits.
They will never admit to being lost. Violent changes of direction as they are unsure whether to turn or not. Often, from behind, you can see the wife in the passenger seat with a map obscuring most of the windscreen and the husband frantically trying to keep calm. They drive the wrong way up one way streets and when they realise they are convinced that the proper thing to do is continue to the end.
They drive on the wrong side of the road. A lot.
Once I saw one going the wrong way around a roundabout. Stupidity of that magnitude requires dedication.
And while I'm on and ranting, I had to drive around Valencia a couple of times last week and that was probably the scariest road trip I've had.
I was at huge crossroads with four lanes on my carriageway (so about 15 in total), the lights change, no lines on the road, crikey, get across the crossroads to find...... 3 lanes. All this with scooters buzzing past like wasps.
Sorry for all that.
I'll get me coat.
Ste.
The Swiss and the Belgians can't seem to get out of second gear.
The Germans haven't yet found the indicators, but are generally OK.
Not spotted an Italian yet but I guess they're that bad that none have actually made it this far down the coast.
The Spanish just won't indicate, drive at random speeds irrespective of limits, and will grind to a halt in the middle of the road to look at a map or take a photo.
And then there's the Brits.
They will never admit to being lost. Violent changes of direction as they are unsure whether to turn or not. Often, from behind, you can see the wife in the passenger seat with a map obscuring most of the windscreen and the husband frantically trying to keep calm. They drive the wrong way up one way streets and when they realise they are convinced that the proper thing to do is continue to the end.
They drive on the wrong side of the road. A lot.
Once I saw one going the wrong way around a roundabout. Stupidity of that magnitude requires dedication.
And while I'm on and ranting, I had to drive around Valencia a couple of times last week and that was probably the scariest road trip I've had.
I was at huge crossroads with four lanes on my carriageway (so about 15 in total), the lights change, no lines on the road, crikey, get across the crossroads to find...... 3 lanes. All this with scooters buzzing past like wasps.
Sorry for all that.
I'll get me coat.
Ste.
and Valencia city? My god! Amanda took me into valencia city 2 years ago, with me driving. Imagine downdown new york or LA, 5 lanes either way, bisected by another 5 lanes of crossroads, and yep mopeds, huge buses, and ABSOLUTELY NO-ONE knowing where they are going or in fact, why.
Still, its all part of lifes experience eh? Then getting out of it, and heading towards madrid, with mental cases tailgating me at 130 kmh
scary. Good job new pants are cheap to buy in spain............
Aug 10th 2009 | 12:00 am
#39
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
From: Lincoln hope to be CDS
Re: Driving in Spain
God help me !! xx
Aug 10th 2009 | 1:21 am
#41
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,459
From: On the edge
Re: Driving in Spain
Got to admit I drive around Valencia fairly regularly and dont find it too bad. I never drive inot Valencia because I can get a train from here return for just over €6 so its cheaper and more relaxed. But having seen the traffic driving around the centre, apart from the one square where it got quite snarled up, it all seemed quite orderly.
Its true, anywhere in Spain if you are overtaking then you might well have someone zoom up behind you on the motorway. Driving in Spain is differemt to driving in the UK but once you are used to it I dont find it any more scary than the UK. In fact when I went back in June for a week I found that the driving style in the UK seems much more aggressive than here with drivers taking some huge risks
Its true, anywhere in Spain if you are overtaking then you might well have someone zoom up behind you on the motorway. Driving in Spain is differemt to driving in the UK but once you are used to it I dont find it any more scary than the UK. In fact when I went back in June for a week I found that the driving style in the UK seems much more aggressive than here with drivers taking some huge risks
Aug 10th 2009 | 1:24 am
#42
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 536
Re: Driving in Spain
Got to admit I drive around Valencia fairly regularly and dont find it too bad. I never drive inot Valencia because I can get a train from here return for just over €6 so its cheaper and more relaxed. But having seen the traffic driving around the centre, apart from the one square where it got quite snarled up, it all seemed quite orderly.
Its true, anywhere in Spain if you are overtaking then you might well have someone zoom up behind you on the motorway. Driving in Spain is differemt to driving in the UK but once you are used to it I dont find it any more scary than the UK. In fact when I went back in June for a week I found that the driving style in the UK seems much more aggressive than here with drivers taking some huge risks
Its true, anywhere in Spain if you are overtaking then you might well have someone zoom up behind you on the motorway. Driving in Spain is differemt to driving in the UK but once you are used to it I dont find it any more scary than the UK. In fact when I went back in June for a week I found that the driving style in the UK seems much more aggressive than here with drivers taking some huge risks
..in fact thats a good point.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
I utterly LOVE driving, but once were in spain i will make more use of public transport than here in the uk, which is not at all. In fact i would say public transport is better in spain than in the uk.
so i guess a healthy mix of public and personal transport and you cant go wrong?
Aug 10th 2009 | 1:30 am
#43
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,459
From: On the edge
Re: Driving in Spain
..in fact thats a good point.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
I utterly LOVE driving, but once were in spain i will make more use of public transport than here in the uk, which is not at all. In fact i would say public transport is better in spain than in the uk.
so i guess a healthy mix of public and personal transport and you cant go wrong?
When you reach retirement age, you can get a free rail pass "tarjeta de oro". Take residencia, photo ID to the train station to get a card.
Aug 10th 2009 | 1:43 am
#44
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,156
From: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Re: Driving in Spain
You have to use it. Its cheap, clean and easy to use. On the fast train Valencia to Barcelona you can watch TV! In Valencia there is a metro to help you get around.
When you reach retirement age, you can get a free rail pass "tarjeta de oro". Take residencia, photo ID to the train station to get a card.
When you reach retirement age, you can get a free rail pass "tarjeta de oro". Take residencia, photo ID to the train station to get a card.
Aug 10th 2009 | 1:46 am
#45
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 28
From: Barcelona
Re: Driving in Spain
