Roundabout!!!
 

I was driving back, this morning, from Pilar de la Horadada on the N332 and arrived at the Mil Palmeras roundabout to turn left over the motorway and head up to San Miguel.
I pulled left into the fast lane and stopped next to another car in the slow lane while we waited for the traffic on the roundabout to clear. We both then pulled away together and I wasn’t unduly surprised to find that the car in the slow lane kept up with me going around to the motorway exit, as they tend to do over here. What shook me however was that instead of taking the exit towards the motorway the idiot carried on, forcing me to brake hard, and then took the Mil Palmeras exit. In other words, went all the way round the roundabout and finished up turning right where she could have gone without using the roundabout at all!
Now, my question is this; bearing in mind that the Spanish are taught to go round a roundabout in the slow lane, who would have been at fault if we had collided?
I have a rough idea who would have been held liable had the lady driver been Spanish, but what do you think?

:frown::frown::frown::confused:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

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The problem is that you have also got it wrong! There is no concept of FAST or SLOW lane!.

On a dual carriageway (motorway etc). the left-hand lane(s) are only to be used when overtaking. If you are not overtaking, then you MUST use the right-hand lane.


I suspect though, you just meant left/right lanes and simply used the wrong terms:thumbup:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

The Spaniards in my part of the world would never consider using the SLOW lane unless of course there was an opportunity to UNDERTAKE :frown:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

The problem with roundabouts is that there is always a moment when you can block someone, if you don't use the lights to show that you're crossing the right lane to leave the roundabout or someone has just entered thinking you're not taking that exit. However, according to that link, it says that the car on the left lane wanting to do that has NO preference. That's why people are told that if unsure, always on the right lane.

As for the names, I'd never use rápido/lento in a roundabout, not even derecha/izquierda, but interior/exterior (and medio if there is one).

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Rather pedantic and not much help!

:(:(:(

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I merely used fast and slow because when talking of a rounabout the inside lane on the road becomes the outside lane on the roundabout and can confuse a bear of very little brain - like me!

:D:D:D

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I believe this has been discussed in detail before and the general rule is to stay in the outside lane of the rbt. until the appropriate exit is reached.

It makes sense to me and avoids cars cutting across in front of each other.

I think to describe rbt. lanes as fast and slow is a little silly and it amazes me that some drivers move across to the inside lane then dangerously cut back across the outside lane to their exit in order to save what ?
Maybe half a second or so through the rbt itself.
Is it really worth it as well as the added risk involved ? :confused:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

after a while here, you'll get the "when in Rome" syndrome,but before that, you get paranoid when tackling a roundabout (inside mirror, left mirror, right mirror....dear God where is the car behind me....there he is.... wtf is he doing now?)
advice: do it their way.... then only expats get annoyed and you'll avoid running into the 44 tonne truck parked half on -half off the roundabout:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

Now, my question is this; bearing in mind that the Spanish are taught to go round a roundabout in the slow lane, who would have been at fault if we had collided?
I have a rough idea who would have been held liable had the lady driver been Spanish, but what do you think?

:frown::frown::frown::confused:[/QUOTE]

Answer - YOU!

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Outside lane has priority on roundabouts here , inside lane has none so pointless using it :huh:

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A few of you consider the Spanish way of staying in the outer lane is the correct way.

So are the Chiclana Police wrong as per their leaflet.???

I must admit the majority of accidents I have seen are where cars on the inside lane move out to approach an exit.
However I am sure that most of these would have been avoided with the correct use of indicators.

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I was told this by a GC trafico and a driving instructor of an employee! as for the use of indicators ,are they fitted to Spanish spec cars?:rofl:

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Zegactly, why have the bl##dy thing :confused:

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Exactly Saxy, they should funnel the lanes on a dual carriageway down to a single lane at every roundabout if you can't use the inside lane........!!!
Just found this on another website:
However, the Spanish highway code has now changed. The recommendations are that you use the inside (right hand lane) to turn immediately right or go straight across. If you are turning left (the 3rd junction) you should be in the outside (left hand lane) until you have passed the lane going straight across (2nd junction) and then move into the inside (right hand) lane. If you are going all the way round, you should stay in the outside (left hand lane) until you have passed the 3rd junction.
(Thanks to 'Strolling Minstrel')
Just thought you'd like to know!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

What Spanish highway code?:confused:

Not trying to be funny - is there such a thing?

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No wonder I've not attempted driving since I've been here :eek:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

I did not drive for the first couple of years that we were here but now do all of the driving and the part I hate the most is roundabouts but they have to be dealt with constantly so no option but to endure them. By far the best way is to close your eyes and ears and hope for the best. :eek::o

Rosemary

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Okay -may give that a go :thumbup:

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I think you will find that is the same as the link in post 2

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I think a lot of the problems with Spanish roundabouts are that all the drivers are looking to see what girls are stood there, and what they are offering, and then they suddenly realise they should be turning and just cross the lanes. :rofl:

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Exactly Fred!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

Exactly and a major problem for the guy in the left lane hoping to move over just before his exit when there is a constant stream of traffic to his right, bearing in mind that not all Spanish drivers are renowned for their courtesy or awareness.
If in doubt or in very busy conditions to be on the safe side it's as well to keep right.

On the other hand if its totally traffic free, then take the racing line.;)
Yeh,its wrong I know, but I can never resist.:sneaky:

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Not trying to be funny? Ok then, do you really think there's no code here?!?! I never cease to be amazed. It's called Código de Circulación, by the way.

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I have tried and failed to get a copy.

However I am told there are no diagrams / pictures in it, is this true?

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Create a mirror image of that instruction (obviously) and that's exactly how roundabouts should be used in the UK. Makes perfect sense as it increases the capacity of the roundabout and so reduces queues that may form at the entrances.

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¿!¿! Of course there are pictures and diagrams. The reason why you haven't seen it around (if you mean bookshops, etc) is because you usually get it in the autoescuela. You have to be registered in one and people go to classes there and to do tests. I've seen the British one, it's exactly the same format.

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Well I've met a few people who have learnt to drive here who also say they have never seen a copy

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That'll be why none of us have ever seen one then. It should be more readily available.

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Is this the Highway code?

http://www.autovia.com/legislacion/cod-circula/5.php

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

Another road rules question.
Can someone please explain to me the rules at pedestrian lights when they are flashing amber.
If I stop I get tooted by the car behind even if the cars travelling in the opposite direction has stopped for the lights. If I don't stop I feel I am in the wrong.

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

My understanding is for the pedestrian:-
They may cross when they see a green light, as soon as the light flashes they should not start to cross but may continue to if they are already on the crossing

For the driver:-
They must stop when the lights turn red, whent he lights start to flash they must be stopped if a pedestrian is on the crossing, however if the crossing is clear they may move on.

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Is that quite right Fred - only the lights go straight from red to green?
I love the flashing amber lights that warn you of actual traffic lights ahead!!!

:):):)

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You are correct I was in the wrong country :o

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Some trafic lights do have flashing amber lights with flashing green for the pedestrian, and some even have countdown, don't y'know.

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Haven't come across any of those Saxy........

:)

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I have. Perhaps it's just Valencia area. We have both flashing and countdown lights.
I am none the wiser than when I started the thread.:confused:

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I suspect the countdown lights are for bigger/wider/city streets. There are a number in Malaga (city).

There are various places I drive regularly - Fuengirola springs to mind - where a set of lights in one direction can be obviously red (because traffic is at a standstill) with priority for pedestrians but only flashing amber in the opposite direction (still pedestrian priority but leaving it up to the driver to conform).. A recipe for disaster in my humble!

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

Some of the flashing amber lights are to encourage drivers to reduce speed. If they do reduce speed and conform the lights stay at flashing and they can proceed. If they do not slow down the lights turn red.

Rosemary

Re: Roundabout!!!
 

I was recently in Madrid and a set by the hotel had a refuge in the centre.
One half would go to green for the pedestrians whilst the other half remained red allowing traffic to flow.These were combined with normal traffic lights further down so there was a short delay in the traffic flow. Inevitably pedestrians would rush across the whole crossing at the first sign of green with many near accidents.