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The first 60 minutes following a serious road traffic accident are the most vital for emergency services to save a life. For this very reason, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) in Spain plans to introduce new rules governing the use of the left-hand lane on dual carriageways and motorways that will come into force next year.

 

It’s hoped that the regulations will not only improve the flow of traffic, but will also facilitate the important work of police, emergency services and roadside assistance.

 

 

Today, it’s a fairly common (and often irritating) driving manoeuvre to use the left lane not only for overtaking, which is its primary purpose, but to cruise along on. While many motorists do this, it’s actually illegal, and the DGT can fine drivers 200 euros for improper use of the left lane, although no points are currently deducted from driving licences.

 

From 2025 though, motorists will be severely penalised if they don’t immediately return to the right-hand lane after overtaking.

 

The modification of this Traffic Law will also have exceptions and the new article 31 establishes that overtaking on the left will be totally prohibited in extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow and ice.

 

This is to ensure that emergency vehicles and snowplows have exclusive use of a central lane at all times.

 

Ana Blanco, deputy director of the DGT, explained the new Law: “When there is bad weather on the roads, it is foreseeable that all lanes will be blocked, so that the route of the snowplows in their cleaning tasks of the road may be interrupted. With this modification we intend to facilitate the work of the road maintenance services and ensure that driving conditions remain optimal despite the bad weather conditions.”

 

Even now, there is an article in the regulations that stipulates drivers must give way to “priority vehicles in urgent service”. In this situation, the DGT recommends moving into the right lane, assuming it is safe to do so, to create enough space for them to pass.

 

With the modification of this rule, the DGT intends that drivers, in the event of any type of emergency, move to their respective sides of traffic to leave a central lane and thus prevent emergency vehicles from being trapped in any type of retention or traffic jam, thus creating “a lifesaving corridor”.

 

 

Currently, motorcycles and any other type of unauthorised vehicle are not allowed to drive on the hard shoulder under any circumstances. To do so risks a fine of 200 euros.

 

From next year, however, two-wheeled vehicles will be allowed to use the shoulder if they are stuck in a traffic jam, once they don’t exceed 30 kilometres per hour and always respect the priority of other vehicles forced to rise on the hard shoulder, such as bicycles.

 

Likewise, tow trucks and ambulances will also be able to use this part of the road to progress more quickly in the event of any type of emergency. To do this, they will have to use flashing lights or sirens to alert drivers. Furthermore, they may not exceed 30 kilometres per hour.

 

 

Image: AEA Club