Road Rule In Europe

[malagabob]

I hire cars often when in Spain, Portugal. I seem to remember that you should give way to a car coming ON to a roundabout. Ive never experienced anyone stopping for me, except once or twice on a trip to a small Greek island.

[RATTER15]

I sometimes wonder if some european countries actually have road rules, I was getting horns blasted at me in greece for stopping at a red light, just because the junction was clear!!

[webbo3]

this use to be the case in France but it changed to the same as us, but im not sure about Spain and Portugal.


Dave.

[rojash]

" I was getting horns blasted at me in greece for stopping at a red light"

LOL

A few years ago, we got our very first traffic lights on the island. The reason given was increased traffic from tourism. One old guy got pulled for jumping a red light, and insisted to the cops that he didn't have to stop as he wasn't a tourist.

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe they don't feel inclined to let out someone who appears not to be making an effort to enter ?

Re red lights. On my one trip to the US I was stopped at a red light and it never seemed to change. Saw someone in the distance coming up behind me, so confused I oped to pull to the side and pretend I was reading a map. They went straight through !!! So I did also (when it Rome and all that). I asked at reception once I got back to the hotel, and can't recall the exact details but it was something about being allowed to proceed (perhaps a right turn ?) if nothing was coming. I did wonder how many Americans got into trouble here for ignoring red lights.

[mushroom25]

in the US, "right turn on red" is permitted almost everywhere, except where the right turn is controlled by a dedicated set of signals. The exception is New York City, where right turn on red is only permitted where a sign indicates this.

[mikey4444]

Woody Allen once said that the only cultural advantage to living in California was that you could make a right turn on red. Never understood it until I first went to the States.

[jake-the-peg]

Yes Greece still has 'priority a droite' or whatever the Greek equivilent is

You drive straight onto a roundabout and if you're on a roundabout you have to stop and give way

Totally barking if you ask me - I think the French have up that malarky years ago - and it just feels *so* wrong - but I got used to it after a week

[Sqad]

Perhaps I have been doing it wrongly.......

On coming onto a roundabout I give way to traffic from the left (not Politically left you understand)Gf

[McMouse]

When driving in Spain and Portugal last month the rule seemed to be that there were no rules.

[Sqad]

McM..LOL

[ChuckFickens]

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g187438-c86680/Malaga:Spain:Driving.Guide.For.Foreigners.html

[jno]

as mikey suggests, some states allow you to turn right on a red and others don't; always best to inquire when you pick up your car.

[Sqad]

Heeeey! chuck.....nice to see you back........I've missed you.

[McMouse]

One way streets seemed to be a particular challenge. On one occasion in Monte Gordo I correctly entered a oneway street and came nose to nose with a oncoming police car.........naturally I gave way and reversed out.

[tamborine]

I always turn left if clear, on red lights. Some rules need to be bent

[Mariiiii]

Hey, read this article with rules and useful tips about driving in Spain. https://rental24h.com/driving-in-spain-guide. You can find here driving habits of locals, spanish toll roads, speed limits and other interesting sections.