N332 RoadWatch Issue 03

ROADWATCH Issue 03

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WHAT´S IN THE BOX ?

More New Radars - Battery Checks - Driving in Rain - White Lines Warning Triangles & Where to Place Them - Project E.D.W.A.R.D. Convictions - Summer Traffic - P.A.S. - The History of the Guardia Civil Vehicles & MORE!

Welcome to N332 RoadWatch

On September 10th, 1897, George Smith, a 25-year-old London taxi driver, made history by becoming the first person ever arrested for drunk driving after crashing his cab into a building. Having later appeared in court, Smith pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined 25 shillings.

In the United States, the first laws against operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol went into effect in New York in 1910. In 1936, Dr. Rolla Harger, a professor of biochemistry and toxicology, patented the Drunkometer, a balloon-like device into which people would breathe to determine whether they were inebriated. In 1953, Robert Borkenstein, a former Indiana state police captain and university professor who had collaborated with Harger on the Drunkometer, invented the Breathalyzer. Easier-to-use and more accurate than the Drunkometer, the Breathalyzer was the first practical device and scientific test available to police officers to establish whether someone had too much to drink. A person would blow into the Breathalyzer and it would gauge the proportion of alcohol vapors in the exhaled breath, which reflected the level of alcohol in the blood.

From George Smith and right through history, the advances in the technology used to detect whether drivers have been drinking, or having consumed drugs for that matter, have come on leaps and bounds. That is one of the things we are looking at in this issue, although I will not ruin the surprise by telling you more here. The point is that these days drink driving has now become socially unacceptable, the use of drugs before driving is much the same, and so through the awareness of the dangers it is hoped that instances will reduce. Of course there are those who still flaunt the law, sometimes innocently believing, “well I only had the one”, or “I feel okay”, when in reality the smallest amount of alcohol can hinder our ability to drive. Those who do ignore the warnings and con-

tinue to drink and driver, or consumer drugs, have to remember one thing.

The technology is advancing and it will continue to do so, in order to try and keep the roads safer, and so, please be aware, you will get caught and you will face the full power of the law in order to protect those at risk by your selfish actions.

My name is Mark Nolan by the way, welcome to issue 3 of N332 RoadWatch. We hope you enjoy the features this time, some of which are based around your feedback and requests, which we thank you for by the way. In particular, we keep getting asked for more about the Guardia Civil and the history of the corps, so we have included the first of what we hope will be a developing series in this issue by looking at some of the vehicles used throughout history. We have our roundup of some of the more interesting stories from around Europe, collated by our European sister site, www.roadwatch.eu, and we look at some of the preparations we can all do ready for autumn. I must also thank all of our sponsors for supporting the project. Remember that everybody behind this volunteers their time and it is through the generous donations of these sponsors that allows us to grow and develop the next stages. More about our future developments soon, but if you have a business and would like to support us, or if you are a reader and would like to get in touch, send us an email to news@n332.es.

That´s my introduction for this issue, enjoy the rest of the eMag and stay safe.

N332 RoadWatch is published by Mark Nolan, an independent and autonomous publicist.

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NEWS CATCH UP Stop Following Me!

A reckless driver in the UK who was being pursued by police dialled 999 to ask them to stop following him.

Bruce Dewey, aged 36 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Chichester Crown Court to dangerous driving and to driving without a licence or insurance.

He had been recognised by officers from Sussex Police and pursued for about 50 minutes, during which he crashed into and damaged a number of cars, but decided to try his luck by calling the emergency 999 number to ask the police to stop following him.

In case you doubt it the police ignored his request and finally managed to stop the vehicle before he could do any more damage.

He was jailed for 15 months and disqualified from driving for three years.

A Big Surprise A couple of grandparents in Germany had a lovely surprise when their 12-year old grandson came to visit recently, having travelled the 160 kilometres across the country to visit.

However, their joy of seeing the boy and his friend started to turn to fear, when they realised that the children had not only travelled alone to visit them, they had taken the family car, the 12-year old boy driving himself and his friend all the way.

The child told his grandparents that although he had been told that the family would soon visit, he simply couldn´t wait any long and so took the car, along with his friend, on the devilish road trip.

The parents were immediately notified and the police had to intervene, although it was conclude that no malice was intended and nothing had happened on the journey, and so, despite the age of the child, it is in nobody´s interest to prosecute.

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Never Warn about Checkpoints The Guardia Civil has taken to social networks to share a French police produced videos about the risks involved in warning other motorists about the presence of check-points.

The message of “nothing to hide, nothing to fear” has never been clearer than in recent times, with both an increased threat in criminal and other serious activities, protection of law-abiding citizens has perhaps never been as important.

Let´s remember, that if you do have nothing to hide, if you are stopped at a checkpoint, the worst that will happen will be a slight delay whilst your documents and details are checked. More likely you will simply be waved on and able to go about your business.

In the video however, a very different story unfolds. A driver is seen driving through the night when he spots a police patrol. Thinking he is doing a good deed, he takes to flashing his headlights in warning to oncoming vehicles, a practice which is by the way illegal.

As the story continues we see another more nervous driver heeding the warning, stopping his vehicle and turning around to drive in the opposite direction.

Unbeknown to the original driver, the police that he had spotted originally were involved in the search for a young girl who had been abducted. The driver he is later seen to warn is revealed to be the abductor, so close to approaching capture and the subsequent liberation of the girl, the warning meant that the kidnapper was able to evade capture, the result for the victim unknown, but without the warning of the driver the story would have ended so very differently, with a positive result.

Airbag Explosion Kills Woman

A woman was killed in an air-bag incident recently, although curiously in this case the woman was not even inside a vehicle at the time of the incident.

The incident occurred in the American state of Texas when the woman was going about her business in her family home. A truck carrying airbag detonators caught fire nearby and exploded, the explosion being so powerful it spread debris over a kilometre and a half.

The driver and passenger of the truck managed to escape unharmed, as did the occupants of a vehicle behind the truck, but with no time to alert local residents, the impact of the explosion damaged ten homes and causing a 30 metre sinkhole in the road.

The victim was inside her home and the ferocity of the explosion meant that dental records had to be used to identify her.

NEWS CATCH UP Gang Steel 192 Chevrolet Wheels

Also in Texas, thieves targeted a Chevrolet dealer and stole vehilce wheels to the value of almost a quarter of a million euro.

The dealership had apparently been deliberately targeted by the group who, according to CCTV footage from the scene, started their act at around 1 in the morning. For the next 4 hours, they meticulously worked their way through 48 cars, taking 192 wheels.

The robbers only targeted 20 and 22 inch wheels, the most valuable on the vehicles, leaving smaller ones where they were.

Sadly they also managed to dim the lights so the CCTV footage does not clearly identify any of the perpetrators and the gang had parked the truck which they loaded the wheels on in such a manner is that obscured the main view of the security systems. The authorities believe that the organised gang also attacked a Cadillac dealer in November of 2015.

NEWS CATCH UP Finnish Fine

The National Police in Finland have released new guidelines regarding the so-called “margin of error” for speeding traffic fines, in order to reduce the number of incidents on the roads.

The overall threshold will now be reduced and fines will be issued if a vehicle is detected travelling at 7 kilometres per hour above the maximum permitted speed.According to a governmental press release, the decision in principle is to halve the number of road traffic injuries and fatalities by 2020.

“A one per cent change in the average speed will result in a two per cent change in the number of injuries and a four per cent change in that of fatalities,” says Samppa Holopainen, Assistant Police Commissioner for traffic safety at the National Police Board.

“Police surveillance has a proven impact on road behaviour. Motorists try to abide by regulations in accordance with their assumptions of the likelihood of intervention,” he adds.Statistics Finland has reported that, based on its preliminary data, the number of road traffic fatalities declined by 14 year-on-year to 126 and that of injuries by 231 year-on-year to 3,205 between January and July 2016.

Holopainen also points out that the threshold for speed limit enforcement is lower in other countries, in Sweden for example the threshold is 6 kilometres per hour.

XXXtra Fines French police fined a Romanian truck driver 9,000€, and withdrew 3 licence points for watching n adult movie on a laptop computer whilst driving his truck near Maubeuge.

An overnight checkpoint had been set up to monitor truck traffic and this particular driver was caught somewhat off guard, not paying attention to the road.

The subject of the film wasn´t necessarily the issue but fines for this sort of offence have increased tenfold in recent times.

A total of two drivers were caught in similar situations during the night check, with warnings of the dangers being spread through the traffic news network.

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For the Kids

A new Oslo-based app has taken that idea further and is giving power directly to the people who, when it comes to urban planning, are too-often left out of the conversation: children.

The Guardian reports how two years ago, Vibeke Rørholt, who has worked in traffic safety in Norway for more than15 years, began compiling a report that looked into road safety for children in Oslo. Commissioned to work for Norway’s Agency of the Urban Environment, Rørholt had to come up with a way to encourage the capital’s 44,000 children to walk or cycle to school. What better way to find out how they feel about their own security than by asking them directly?

The Traffic Agent app was created to understand children’s concerns about their own safety in the city and is part of Oslo’s move towards greater sustainability and away from cars. The new leftwing city government announced last year it planned to ban private cars from the centre by 2019 as part of its initiative to halve greenhouse gas emissions. “The government said that all increase in traffic in Norway should now be done by cycling, walking or public transport,” explains Rørholt. Indeed, the country is on a sustainable push: there have been reports that the sale of fossil fuel-based cars will be banned in the hope of all cars running on green energy by 2025.

With €347,000 (£290,000) in funding from the city, the Research Council of Norway and consultancy Capgemini, Rørholt needed to find ways to create an environment where parents would feel that it was safe enough for children to walk to school. “I was supposed to make a traffic report on all roads in Oslo.

That’s a big job,” she comments. “So I thought, why don’t we ask the children how they feel on the street?”

The best way to do that, she says, was to turn to gamification. Using a smartphone app, with the idea of users being “secret agents” for the city, children can send immediate reports on their route to school when they come across, for example, a difficult crossing on the street or an area of heavy traffic. Their location is tracked using GPS, so researchers can pinpoint exactly where these hazards are.

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Time to Check you Battery In September, one of the biggest causes of breakdowns is a fault to do with the car´s electrical system or the battery.

This is actually a continuation from the summer months, although engine overheating is also a common problem in the summer, but more than half of the recorded faults dealt with by the roadside are related to the car´s battery.

Often, the problem is age related and the fact that the battery has simply discharged. This is a common consequence of high temperatures.

Between the months of June and September, there are more roadside recoveries than any other time of year, partly due to the increase in traffic, as well as the damage caused by high temperatures.

The advice is to thoroughly check your vehicle on a regular basis, keep electrical use to a minimum when the engine isn´t running, and, above all, have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic on a regular basis.

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Looking for Health Insurance?

At Ibex we can insure your car, home, pet, travel, boat, offer funeral plans and also we can protect one of the most important things in life, our health.

When it comes to choosing the right private health insurance, more often than not we are overwhelmed by the number of companies, products and options available. It can often become confusing and this can lead to us putting off taking out an insurance policy until it is too late.

As insurance specialists, our role is to guide you through the process and find the right insurance product that best suits your needs. Every individual is different and everyone’s medical history and personal requirements are also different. This can sometimes make people worry about where and how to start.

That is precisely what our customer service advisors are here to do, it is their job to make sure that not only do you get the right insurance policy at the right price to suit your needs, but to provide continual support to make sure that it remains the right insurance product for you.

In order to find the product that fits your needs, they can go through your requirements on the telephone, in one of our local offices all over the coast and isles or at a location more suitable to you. We believe that health insurance is a personal product that requires time and tailoring to the individual. To help you best understand what you want out of your health insurance we have listed some frequently asked questions and answers below to assist you: Do I need an insurance policy for cover just in my country of residence, the rest of Europe or Worldwide?

By restricting your cover to treatment just in Spain you will certainly reduce the premium and this could be combined with a travel insurance to cover trips outside of your country of residence.

excluded from the policy. You are usually asked to complete a medical questionnaire and the underwriters will either: -include any previous/on-going condition -exclude the condition for a certain period of time -exclude the condition completely With some insurers you do not need to complete a questionnaire and they will underwrite the policy on a moratorium basis, which means that any medical condition that you have had (usually) in the previous 5 years would be excluded for 2 years. It would only be accepted after the 2 year period if you have not taken medication, consulted with a doctor or experienced symptoms during this period.

Will there be a waiting period before I can claim?

Check the policy conditions carefully as there could be a waiting period of up to 3 months and even possibly 12 to 18 months for certain medical conditions. The International policies tend not to have this waiting period and if you are moving from one health insurer to another, without a break, then often the waiting period is waived.

Do I need a policy for hospital only treatment or do I want one that covers outpatient (doctor consultations, tests or scans) as well?

Although a policy that just covers hospital admission will be less expensive, outpatient treatment can get costly so think carefully before excluding this cover.

What is the excess (Co Payment) and how does it work?

The excess is the amount that you pay out of your own pocket.

It can usually be on an annual basis, however some policies apply the excess to each medical condition. If you are generally healthy and don’t habitually go to the doctor then taking a policy with a slightly higher excess is a good way of reducing the premium.

Will I be able to use any doctor or hospital or will I have to use a network?

Most of the health insurers that we work with have different plans so you can choose the option that best suits your needs.

You can use their network of doctors and hospitals to maximise the benefits of the policy and therefore the premium will be lower. The network is usually widespread so this type of policy can provide real value for money. ou can still go outside of their network but be aware that the reimbursement may be lower with usually a monetary cap on doctor consultations.

Will my pre-existing conditions be covered?

Generally, if you have an on-going chronic medical condition, requiring check-ups and medication, it will be

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If you have any questions that we have not listed or would like to arrange a meeting to discuss health insurance, please contact one of our local offices in Quesada, Orihuela Costa, Mazarron, Mojacar, Albox, Fuengirola, Estepona, Mallorca or Tenerife for a free no obligation quotation.

Alternatively if you prefer you may contact our Health Insurance Specialist by telephone on 952 887 125 or send an email to carrie-ann.harrison@ibexinsure.com

Preparing for Rain As we reached the “ber” months in Spain, we need to prepare for one of the two wet seasons when the first rainfall means that the roads will be particularly slippy as the water lays on top of an accumulation of dust and dirt on the roads. We need to be prepared for the rain and take extra care when driving, slowing down, making gentle movements and taking it easy.

The first thing to do, which you can do right away, is check your tyres to make sure they are properly inflated and that the tread is sufficient and equal.

When driving in rain you should use your headlights, keep your speed well under control and low and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, remembering that stopping distances are increased on wet roads.

Keep an eye on the road surface and look for colour changes. The appearance of brown in the water could indicate mud or dirt, if the water looks multicoloured and has a rainbow effect, it could indicate oil mixed with the water.

Now we have some of the basics, here are our top 5 tips for driving in wet conditions.

Slow down It might seem like the most obvious thing to say, but all too often it is advice that is ignored. It is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security within our vehicles but speed and adverse weather is a deadly combination. When the road is wet, your vehicle´s tyres cannot grip the road as much as in normal, dry conditions.

Cornering and braking are all affected by water on the road, reducing grip and increasing stopping distances considerably, therefore, slowing down allows more time to adapt and deal with the situation. Ease off the accelerator a little and you will see the difference immediately.

Avoid violent movements or sharp braking Sudden braking, acceleration or harsh movements of the steering wheel may result in loss of vehicle control. If the operations are carried out progressively, smoothly and slowly, it also gives other drivers more

time to react. Remember that a smooth drive is a safer and more efficient ride under normal conditions and even more so when it rains.

Avoid driving on road markings Road markings including lane lines, crossings and markers provide less grip that the road surface and can therefore increase braking distances. Riders on two wheels should be particularly aware of this problem.

Be seen During rain or reduced visibility make sure that you have your lights on. Daytime Running Lights may not be sufficient, especially during reduced visibility where headlights must be used. The timely use of indicators, including brake lights, is crucial to give other road users advanced warnings of your intentions. Keeping your vehicle under control and following all the advice for a smooth ride will also allow for an improvement in your visibility to other road users.

Avoid aquaplaning risks Keep a sharp lookout for puddles and pools of water which may reduce the grip of your tyres on the road even more, potentially creating a liquid barrier between the tyre and road surface, commonly referred to as aquaplaning. However, don´t carry out any sudden movements to avoid these puddles, simply slow down, hold the steering wheel firmly and try to keep your vehicle on a straight and level course. Whilst maintaining an adequate distance from the vehicle in front, it is often beneficial to follow vehicles through such areas as the displacement of water becomes easier.

With these five basic tips your journey through the rain should be a much safer one, but remember that it is not only about how you drive your vehicle, but about the vehicle itself. Proper maintenance is crucial, checking tyres and their pressure, lights, windows, brakes and other such features on a regular basis should also reduce the risk. If in doubt, your local garage can keep a check on these for you.

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83,000 Convictions The latest figures released by the Attorney General this month show that in 2015 there were a total of 83,283 convictions for road traffic offences in Spain, 34% of all sentences handed down by the courts.

Of the 83,000 plus convictions, 57,313 entailed the deprivation of driving rights, most of which were with the agreement of the offender. In addition 2,352 sentences resulted in the loss of validity of the driving licence, 50,000 were fines and 31,634 community service orders were issued.

During 2015, there were fewer breath tests carried out by the Guardia Civil traffic officers, with 5,741,000 tests last year, compared to 6,300,000 in 2014. There were a total of 80,388 disciplinary proceedings for alcohol related offences, compared to 94,638 in 2014.

The number of reported drug detection and controls increased exponentially, from nearly 9,500 administrative files opened in 2014, to 26,000 in 2015. There was also a “dramatic increase” in the number drug tests conducted in 2015, more than 76,000, compared to 29,463 in 2014.

Generally speaking, the prosecution notes that com-

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pared to 2014 there has been a general downward trend in the number of criminal proceedings initiated, indictments and convictions for crimes against road safety. The decrease has been attributed, among other circumstances, to “the effectiveness of the criminal response to this type of crime” as well as an increased awareness amongst drivers.

The Attorney General's Office also contends that the effective implementation of the law is “not the only prerequisite to reduce incidents”, thus the prosecution proposes the designation of a legal status of pedestrians and cyclists “for harmonious coexistence in the city” , improving the state of the roads, signage, lighting, reducing speed limits and vehicle status, and it clarifies that the aging fleet because of the economic crisis translates into “inequality before the safety of those who have no resources to pay for improvements”.

The report also stresses the need for road safety education is now more important than ever, the only safe strategy to reduce tragedies, almost all those which are preventable, occurring on public roads.

253 Summer Deaths During the summer months of July and August, a total of 253 people lost their lives on the main interurban roads of Spain, 27 more deaths than in the same period last year, representing an increase of 12%, based on provisional data from the DGT. The Valencia Region and the Balearic Islands are the two places which have seen the greatest increase in the number of fatalities, with Valencia seeing an increase of 12 deaths, and the Balearic Islands increasing by 8 deaths.

Across the rest of the country, Aragón and Asturias each saw an increase of 5, Castilla-La Mancha and Comunidad de Madrid both increased by 4, Galicia and Castilla y León had an increase of 3, the Región de Murcia increased by 2 deaths, and Extremadura and La Rioja both saw an increase of 1.

Most of the fatalities occurred on the secondary road network, representing 78% of total deaths.

2015 regarding the number of fatalities among users of bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks.

The average age of passenger cars in which fatal-

ities were traveling is increasing, suggested as a contributing factor to an increase in road deaths, with the 2015 average age being 13.4 years, some 2 years older than the average age of 11.4 years calculated on the average throughout the year.

A total of 31% of the fatalities have occurred in sections of roads identified as being “black spots” and therefore given the status of INVIVE ((Intensificación de la Vigilancia de la Velocidad), where closer monitoring of speed and driver practise is implemented.

During the summer this year there has also been an increase in the number of tourists visiting Spain and the number of long-haul journeys across the country, with a 9.3% and 5% increase respectively.

The figures for the UK also show an increase in the number of incidents on the roads, with data from January to March showing a 13% increase, whereas in Germany the figure from January to July showed a decrease in the number of incidents by 9%.

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Road Markings - White Lines Road markings are there to serve as a means of separation for traffic, but they also provide the driver with information about the type of road and potential risks ahead.

Continuous White Lines A continuous white line on the road means that no vehicle is allowed to cross that line. A longitudinal mark consisting of two continuous lines has the same meaning.

You are not allowed to cross the solid white line for any reason, such as turning into another road or overtaking.

The only exception is in order to pass a cyclist, giving the minimum distance, and only when no other vehicles are approaching and only when it is safe to do so.

Broken White Lines A broken white line is intended to guide the movement of vehicles within lanes and no vehicle should cross the line unless it is necessary and the flow of traffic permits.

You are permitted to cross the broken white line in order to carry out a manoeuvre such as overtaking, so long as the way is clear, you don´t impede the movement of other vehicles. You must avoid the manoeuvre if you will not have time to return to your lane safely and before any other markings.

Broken white lines are also used to indicate the approach to hazardous areas and locations. In the event of the gap between the lines is shorter than normal, it indicates an area more hazardous than usual. These lines are also often wider.

Broken white lines are also used to indicate a special

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lane for certain types of vehicles, in this case the lines are significantly wider than in the general case.

Double Solid Lines Double solid lines have the same obligation as single lines, in that no vehicle is allowed to cross that line. Double lines are also used on reversible lanes or when traffic flows in both directions.

This road has double solid white lines in the centre. No vehicle is permitted to cross that line. However, it would also have the same meaning if it was only a single, solid white line.

In the event of one side of the double line being broken, vehicles on that side of the lane are allowed to cross the line if necessary, but vehicles on the side of the lane where the line is solid are not permitted to cross. This does not prevent vehicles which have been carrying out an overtaking manoeuvre to return to their own lane however.

In this example below, vehicles heading in the direction of the picture are not permitted to cross the solid white line. Vehicles coming in the opposite direction are permitted to cross as their line is broken, but only if it is safe to do so.

The lines marking the edges of the road and parking areas are not considered longitudinal markings.

Overtaking Exceptions Are there any exceptions as to when a vehicle is permitted to cross the solid white line?

The answer is yes, there are, in order to overtake bicycles, mopeds, pedestrians, animals and animal-drawn vehicles, so long as there is no risk and there is no oncoming traffic.

The same applies if a vehicle has become immobilised occupying part of the lane or carriageway, perhaps due to a breakdown.

Again, so long as there is no risk and no oncoming traffic, you are permitted to cross the solid white line to proceed.

However, agricultural vehicles do not fall into the exception list. In the diagram on the left, although the red can has been permitted to cross the white line to safely pass the cyclist, the red car now has to wait behind the slow moving tractor until overtaking restrictions are removed.

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Warning Triangles It is mandatory for all motor vehicles to carry two warning triangles. These triangles must be of a certified standard for Europe. Homologation certification is shown by the presence of a label, sticker or stamp, similar to that on child seats, which, amongst other codes referring to the manufacturer and other details, shows the letter “E” and a number in a circle. The code is sometimes in a box rather than a circle, but it depends on the product in question. For warning triangles, we are looking for a circle and in particular you are looking for E9. The “E” refers to a European standard and in this case, “9” refers to the item having been certified in Spain.

By the way, E11 refers to the UK, but so long as your triangle carries the European certificated stamp, it is acceptable for use in Spain and all European countries who have adopted the system.

The reason two triangles must be carried is that at times we need to offer a warning and protection from vehicles approaching from the front, as well as from behind. We will look at that in some detail on the next page.

Once you have your warning triangles, the next stage is often overlooked, but it is a good idea to take them out or the packaging and assemble them a couple of times. Usually, when we need to use warning triangles we need to assemble them quickly to provide as much warning as possible. It is mandatory to carry them, but they will be of little use if you don´t know how to use them. That is why we recommend you practice, and keep practicing, so that if the time ever does arise, you know immediately how to assemble them.

If you are carrying them in your boot, although they should be in a secure place, we also suggest that you always have them at hand. It´s not a good idea to pile your shopping and other items on top of the triangles as if you do need to use them, you need to access them quickly.

Some vehicles have warning triangles installed as standard, sometime in the lid of the boot, which you can just take out at a moment’s notice.

Again though, make sure you know how to take them out so that if you need them, you know exactly how to access them.

It is also a good idea to carry them in some kind of protective case and to ensure that they are kept clean so that their high visibility standards are maintained.

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Where to Place Your Warning Triangles In the event of your vehicle becoming immobilised on the road and causing a hazard, you must provide additional warnings to other road users of your presence. We deal with the entire process in another article but you must remember that the first thing you must do is switch on your vehicle´s hazard warning lights. This applies both in the day and at night.

You must then place your warning triangles in such a manner to provide sufficient warning to oncoming vehicles.

Ordinarily, you must place your triangles 50 metres away from your vehicle, so that they are visible from a distance of 100 metres.

On a normal two-way road you must place one triangle behind and one in front of your vehicle, both at a distance of 50 metres and visible from at least 100 metres.

On a one-way road, or a road which has more than 3 lanes, such as a motorway, you only need to place one triangle at the rear of your vehicle 50 metres away and visible from 100 metres.

Ensuring that your triangle is visible is crucial to offering a warning to approaching vehicles. In the event that your vehicle is after a bend or over the brow of a hill, move the triangle further away so that it is visible before vehicles reach the bend or brow.

P.A.S.

Proteger Avisar Socorrer Protect Advise Assist The P.A.S. system based on the first response to a situation, in which the primary concern should always be protection, then advising others, and then assisting those in need.

In Spanish, PAS is derived from Proteger Avisar Socorrer, which we could translate to Protect, Advise, Assist.

Let us look at the three elements. You can see how these come together on the pictogram, remembering that the first and most important stage is safety.

Protect What to Do. Knowing what to do if you witness a traffic accident can not only save the lives of the injured, but also your own. Never forget the three steps: Protect, Advise and Assist.

Self-protection. Park your own vehicle in a safe spot and wear your reflective vest before leaving it.

Keep away from a burning vehicle or if you notice that it is transporting dangerous goods.

Protect the accident site. Signal the area as soon as possible by placing warning triangles and switching on your hazard warning lights.

Advise Call the emergency services on 112 (they speak multiple languages, including English).

Information to provide: 1. Location of the place of accident (street, number, kilometre point, if it is a two-way street, the address, and report any other detail that can assist in identifying your location quickly: chapel, restaurant ...

2. The number of injured people and all the information you can provide (if unconscious, bleeding etc).

3. Special circumstances (the existence of trapped persons, danger of falling vehicle, if they are transporting dangerous goods, if fallen into water etc).

4. Characteristics and number of vehicles.

5. Wait from the controllers to confirm the details before hanging up.

Assist Be extremely careful in order to not add or aggravate injuries.

You should not do: 1. As a general rule, do not move the injured, nor remove them from the vehicle.

2. If they are a biker, do not remove the helmet.

3. Do not give drink, food or medication.

4. Do not allow them to move on their own.

5. Do not leave until emergency services say it is okay.

You should do: 1. Stay close to the injured, if possible, at their side. Try to keep them calm.

2. If necessary, and always if you know how to, perform first aid.

8

What to Do ============= Knowing what to do if you witness a traffic accident can not only save the lives of the injured, but also your own.

Never forget the three steps: Protect, Advise and Assist.

Protect the accident site. Signal the area as soon as possible by placing warning triangles and switching on your hazard warning lights.

Protect

Self-protection.

Park your own vehicle in a safe spot and wear your reflective vest before leaving it.

Keep away from a burning vehicle or if you notice that it is transporting dangerous goods.

Advise Call the emergency services on 112 (they speak multiple languages, including English).

2. The number of injured people and all the information you can provide (if unconscious, bleeding etc).

Information to provide: 1. Location of the place of accident (street, number, kilometre point, if it is a two-way street, the address, and report any other detail that can assist in identifying your location quickly: chapel, restaurant ...

3. Special circumstances (the existence of trapped persons, danger of falling vehicle, if they are transporting dangerous goods, if fallen into water etc).

4. Characteristics and number of vehicles.

5. Wait from the controllers to confirm the details before hanging up.

Assist

Be extremely careful in order to not add or aggravate injuries Things you should not do

1. As a general rule, do not move the injured, nor remove them from the vehicle.

Things you should do 2. If they are a biker, do not remove the helmet.

3. Do not give drink, food or medication.

1. Stay close to the injured, if possible, at their side. Try to keep them calm.

2. If necessary, and always if you know how to, perform first aid.

4. Do not allow them to move on their own.

5. Do not leave until emergency services say it is okay.

19

What´s in the Box? We have been reporting recently on the new mobile speed detectors that the Guardia Civil have in service, small and compact enough to carry with them on their motorbikes, this time we are introducing you to another invaluable tool in their arsenal for keeping the roads safer, an evidential, portable breathalyser, the SAF’IR™ Evolution.

Like many police forces across Europe, the Guardia Civil use hand-held breathalysers at the moment, but these devices only give an approximate indication of alcohol consumption and are not used in evidence. Instead, a bigger, computerised machine is used which provides more accurate results and provides a report which can then be used as evidence in subsequent prosecution. As well as having these devices available in many of the traffic police stations, the Guardia Civil have a fleet of vehicles which have these computerised units installed and are used at the roadside.

However, these units are not always immediately available to officers who suspect alcohol has been consumed, or I the event of the failure of a standard roadside test. That is where these new

20

SAF’IR™ EVOLUTION devices come into their own.

As well as being an evidential analyser, meaning that the testing accuracy is certified and valid in court. It has a start-up time of less than one minute, a simple user interface, and a long battery life that can be extended in-vehicle with an adapter. Not only that, the entire unit is in a case about the size of a household drill, along with sterile blow tubes and a printer that can process the fine on the spot, as well as recording the evidence.

It is because of the size of the units that they can also be carried on the new motorbikes, ready to be used at a moment´s notice, ensuring the most accurate record and processing of offenders is carried out in the shortest time possible.

Along with the new portable speed monitoring devices, these new breathalysers mean that the motorbikes and other vehicles patrolling our streets have never been as equipped to deal with offenders and the officers have never had such a valuable set of tools on-hand to ensure that the roads are safer for all.

SAF’IR EVOLUTTION Evidential Analyser

Mobility ty

ACS and a the Environment

Warranty

ƌŐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĚĞƐŝŐŶ͕ ŽƉƟŵŝnjĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƉŽƌƚĂďůĞ͕ ŚĂŶĚŚĞůĚ ƵƐĞ͗ ͻ ůů ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐĂƉĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ ŽĨ ĂŶ ĞǀŝĚĞŶƟĂů ĂŶĂůLJƐĞƌ͕ ƌ͕ ĐŽŵďŝŶĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ĂŶ ĂƵƚŽŶŽŵŽƵƐ͕ Ɛůŝŵ ĚĞǀŝĐĞ ͻ KƉƟŵŝnjĞĚ ƐƚĂƌƚͲƵƉ ƟŵĞ͗ ĚĞǀŝĐĞ ƌĞĂĚLJ ŝŶ ůĞƐƐ ƚŚĂŶ ŽŶĞ ŵŝŶƵƚĞ ͻ ^ŝŵƉůĞ͕ ŝŶƚƵŝƟǀĞ ƵƐĞƌ ŝŶƚĞƌĨĂĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŶĂǀŝŐĂƟŽŶ ͻ ,ĞĂůƚŚLJ ďĂƩĞƌLJ ůŝĨĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ĞĂƐŝůLJ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ;ǀŝĂ ǀĞŚŝĐůĞ ĐŝŐĂƌĞƩĞ ůŝŐŚƚĞƌ adapter) ͻ ůƵĞƚŽŽƚŚ ƉƌŝŶƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ 'W^ ĐĂƉĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ ͻ ĐĐĞƐƐŽƌŝĞƐ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞĚ ŝŶ Ă ĐŽŵƉĂĐƚ͕ ƐŚŽĐŬƉƌŽŽĨ ĐĂƐĞ

Enviro onmentally friendly engineering: ͻ ϵϱй ƌĞĐLJĐůĂďůĞ ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĚƵĐĞĚ ƉĂĐŬŬĂŐŝŶŐ ͻ ŝŽĚĞŐƌĂĚĂďůĞ ŝŽĚ ĚĞŐƌĂĚĂďůĞ ŵŽƵƚŚƉŝĞĐĞ ͻ ZŽ,^ ĂŶĚ Z , ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚ ĐŽŵƉůŝĂŶƚ ͻ ĐŽͲĨƌŝĞŶĚůLJ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌŝŶŐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĞƐ ůĞƐƐ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ƚŽ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞ

^ ďƌĞĂƚŚ ĂůĐŽŚŽů ƚĞƐƚĞƌƐ ĂƌĞ ǁĂƌƌĂŶƚͲ ĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĨƌĞĞ ĨƌŽŵ ĚĞĨĞĐƚƐ ŝŶ ǁŽƌŬŵĂŶͲ ƐŚŝƉ ĂŶĚ ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ ĨŽƌ Ž ŽŶĞ LJĞĂƌ ĂŌĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĞ ŽĨ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ͘ dŽ Ž ĂǀŽŝĚ ǁĂƌƌĂŶƚLJ ĐŽŵƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ͕ ŝƚ ŝƐ ƌĞĐŽ ŽŵŵĞŶĚĞĚ ƚŚĂƚ ŽŶůLJ ƋƵĂůŝĮĞĚ dĞĐŚŶŝĐŝĂŶƐ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵ ŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ďƌĞĞĂƚŚ ĂůĐŽŚŽů ƚĞƐƚĞƌ͘

Reliability dŚŝƐ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ďƌĞĂƚŚ ĂůĐŽŚŽů ƚĞƐƚĞƌ ƵƟůŝnjĞƐ ŝŶĨĂƌĞĚ ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ͕ ŝĚĞĂů ĨŽƌ͗ ͻ ^ƉĞĐƚƌĂů ƐĞůĞĐƟǀŝƚLJ ;ƉĞƌĨĞĐƚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŵŽǀĂů ŽĨ ƉŚLJƐŝŽůŽŐŝĐ ŝŶƚĞƌĨĞƌĞŶĐĞƐͿ ͻ Ğůů ƐƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐĞůĨͲĂĚũƵƐƚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĂƐƵƌŝŶŐ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͕ ĞůŝŵŝŶĂƟŶŐ ĂŶLJ ͚ĚƌŝŌŝŶŐ͛ ĞīĞĐƚ ͻ LJĐůĞ ƟŵĞ ŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ĂůĐŽŚŽů ĐŽŶĐĞŶƚƌĂƟŽŶ ͻ /ŶƐƚĂŶƚ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐĞ ƟŵĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ƌĞƐƵůƚ ĚŝƐƉůĂLJ ͻ ŽŶƟŶƵĂů ĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ďůŽǁ ŝŶƚĂŬĞ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ ĨŽƌ ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ĂĐĐƵƌĂĐLJ

Specifications Size and Weight:

85mm x 255mm x 46mm – 600g

Measuring Principle:

Infrared spectrometry ethanol molecule - selective 9.46 μm - wavelength

Measuring Cycle:

Automatic with moniitoring and diagnosis of good operation

Measurement Unit:

mg/L of alcohol in exhaled air, μg/L air, g/L blood BAC, %BAC

Measuring Range:

0 to 2,00 mg/L (0 to 450 BAC)

Measurement Display:

Function of unit chossen, accuracy maximum 1 μg/L

Measuring Frequency:

Ready to blow in lesss than 30 seconds

Calibration:

Dry gas / wet gas

Operating Temperature:

-5°C to +40°C

D t TTrransfer: Data f

PC via i USB port andd ACS software

Memory:

Over 3,200 time-staamped events with Bluetooth printing

Display:

Graphic LCD

Power Supply:

Built-in rechargeablee NiMH battery

Features:

Bluetooth printing annd GPS applications

Battery Life:

Over 20 hours

Certification:

OIML R 126 1998 - edition international recommendation

Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp

21

Project EDWARD Along with many road safety and traffic police associations around Europe, N332 is firmly behind the Project EDWARD campaign launched by the European Traffic Police Network, TISPOL. EDWARD stand for European Day Without A Road Death, and will take place on the 21st of September. You can visit the TISPOL website, www.tispol.org/edward, and make you pledge to support the campaign.

As the website explains, Project EDWARD page is about supporting and pledging to reduce risk and improve safety on your road journeys, not just on 21 September but every day!

TISPOL has spent time reflecting on recent results which paint a very mixed picture of progress in reducing deaths and serious injuries on Europe’s roads. For the first few years of this decade, countries across the EU have been highly successful in pursuing the 2020 50% reduction target. But the arrival of a second successive year of disappointing news shows that this downward trend has stagnated.

We need to speed up our efforts, and one initiative we believe can make a big impact is our new European Day Without A Road Death – Project EDWARD for short. EDWARD will encourage all road users to reflect on their behaviour and attitude.

After all, driver behaviour remains the most important barrier to progress as we approach 2020 and its reduction targets.

Drivers are unwittingly or sometimes knowingly putting other road users in so many ways, perhaps by speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seat belt, using the phone while driving, using vehicles they have not kept roadworthy, parking their cars on bicycle lanes, blocking pedestrian crossings, not turning on their lights or engaging in risky manoeuvres.

But it’s not just drivers who are at fault. Many cyclists and pedestrians increase their risk levels by choosing to ignore the rules or look for risky short cuts. In the days leading up to the Project EDWARD day, we want all road users to think – even for a few short minutes – about the risks they face, the risks they may pose to others and how they can go about reducing those risks.

TISPOL’s target is that no one should die on the roads of Europe on Wednesday 21 September. And as we pause to reflect on how we use the roads, we believe that Project EDWARD can make a significant contribution towards further sizeable and sustained reductions in road death and serious injury.

So whether you represent a national government, a private organisation, a public agency, a charity, a school, college or university, or whether you simply care as an individual, please join us and make the pledge to support Project EDWARD, and do your bit to reduce risk and improve safety for the people who use our roads.

Project EDWARD is supported by all 30 TISPOL member countries, and a growing number of road safety organisations have pledged to work with TISPOL to promote the messages of EDWARD as far and wide as possible. We hope that, with support from colleagues and partners across Europe, Project EDWARD will be a high-profile way of reminding everyone that there is a great deal of hard work going on across Europe towards 2020 casualty reduction goals – and beyond that, too.

We want everyone to feel part of this and to know that small actions lead to big improvements.

22

www.tispol.org/edward 23

Vehicles of the Guardia Civil In this series we look at the history of the Guardia Civil and visit some of the departments along the way through our tip back in time. This time, we are looking at some of the vehicles used by the corps, not only for traffic duties, but for general policing too.

Throughout the history of the Guardia Civil the corps have always had a multipurpose role, therefore, their vehicles also had to have the ability to serve wherever their duties may take them, whether that is in towns and cities, or in rural and remote areas. In fact, even to this day, the fleet operated by the Guardia Civil allows them to move freely through the narrowest of city streets, or to the highest mountainous grounds, wherever they are needed, they are able to attend.

Before becoming involved in traffic their duties covered many rural areas, and although horses did some of the work, traditionally officers would be forced to use their own powerhouses, their legs, to walk mile after mile on patrol, often for days at a time.

It wasn´t until 1959 that traffic policing came under their remit, thanks to the creation of the Agrupación de Tråfico, tasked primarily with protecting and assisting users of public roads.

24

The role of the Agrupación de Tráfico would see them monitoring and maintaining traffic discipline in all kinds of interurban roads and urban sections of main roads not expressly assigned to the local police, investigating and prosecuting proceedings following traffic incidents on roads for public use, except those that pass through the interior of the urban centres which would be assigned local police jurisdiction. They would also monitor compliance with the regulations on road transport.

The first vehicles used by the traffic police to patrol the road network was the SEAT 1400 B (pictured above, left), a variant of the first model car manufactured by the Spanish firm, and the Land Rover 1 Series (pictured above, right).

The SEAT 1400 was a rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan which was a popular choice between 1953 and 1963. Not only was it the first model ever produced by SEAT, it was the first car to roll off the firm´s new plant located in Barcelona's Zona Franca area. The car itself however was a rebranded version of the Fiat 1400, itself Fiat’s first integrated chassis model.

In order to deal with traffic patrol duties, the 395 cc four-cylinder water-cooled Fiat engine with a claimed output of 44 bhp and top speed of 116 km/h (72 mph), was ideal for the faster roads as well as the narrow city streets.

As for the Land Rover, it had already displayed its value to the military during World War II, proving its ability to drive over almost any terrain and when the vehicle began to be manufactured in Spain, in a factory in Linares, Jaén, import duties were saved and so it became a natural, valuable and cost-saving rural choice.

25

Vehicles of the Guardia Civil As time went on, as did the new technologies developed in car manufacturing and so it was inevitable that the fleet would change. For patrolling the roads the fleet took on new models such as the Seat 124 and the Renault 10 and then the Seat 127.

For the rural routes, the Land Rover still proved its value right through the 70´s and into the 80´s, with different generations of the Land Rover replacing their aging sisters. However, that was until Nissan came along and took over with their Patrol model, through generation changes.

The Renault 4 was next to be added to the fleet, including the rather “mythical” 4 Latas, a sturdy vehicle, much cheaper than a 4 × 4 and, but capable of covering the duties of both road and rural policing.

In the early eighties, Seat returned to use with the first Seat Ritmo, along with the Talbot Horizon, the Peugeot 504 and later the Citroen BX. With the arrival of the nineties, the Citroen ZX and the Nissan Almera were added to the fleet, again the latter still a popular choice to this day, firmly ensuring a strong relationship between the corps and the Japanese manufacturer.

The traffic department was already using the Citroen Xantia since the start of the decade, but that was then to be gradually replaced by Peugeot 406 and Renault Laguna, which later gave way to the Ford Mondeo and Citroen C5.

Meanwhile, in the villages, the Peugeot 306 gave way to Renault Megane and then to the Peugeot 307. As for rural policing, the Nissan Patrol had gradually been replaced by its big brother, the Terrano, and later the X-Trail.

In recent years, Fiat have become a choice for some vehicles, proving their importance within the Guardia Civil, with the Fiat Croma and Ulysse models being widely used, as well as the more popular, and fast, Alfa Romeo 156, which would then by replaced by the model 159.

Other notable mentions within the history of the fleet include the Seat Exeo, although the vehicle only lasted a few years, the Peugeot 407 and the latest evolution of the Citroen C5.

As for unmarked vehicles, there has been a range from throughout the historic portfolio, but the most popular used by the traffic department have included the Toyota Avensis, although the most popular and widely used in recent years is the Citroen C4.

26

Seat 127

Renault 10

Nissan Patrol

Renault 4 Lata

Seat Ritmo

Talbot Horizon

Peugeot 504

Alfa Romeo 159

New Radars arou As September began, holidaymakers began t return home, workers began their return to duty, children returned to education, and the latest range of vehicle monitoring and enforcement devices came into action on the roads of Spain.

September is always a key time in road safety terms as national and regional governments invest millions into saving lives, and even with a caretaker government running the country in 2016, and a lot of major investments on hold, budgets for road safety still currently remain.

In Catalonia, where traffic policing is independent from Spain, the Servicio Catalán de Tráfico announced the installation of 10 new radars which would come into force in September.

They are located at 5 key points on the road network, where many safety incidents have been recorded, along the AP-7 in Tarragona, the N-11 Capmany-Agullana road in Girona, the C-66 in the Corsà-Rupià-La Pera- Flaçà-Sant Joan de Mollet area of Girona, and the C-16 Sant Cugat del Vallés and Cercs, both in Barcelona.

These new radars record the average speed of vehicles over a specific stretch of road, recording the number plate as the vehicle passes one point, registering it again at another, then calculating the time taken between the two points. With these 10 new section controls Catalonia has added to the sections already monitored.

You can view all of their locations on the http://transit.gencat.cat/ website.

Throughout Spain, more cameras capable of monitoring more than just speed have been installed and switched on. Now, there are 222 cameras throughout the country which take a series of images in order to determine if the vehicle occupants are wearing seatbelts, or if the driver is on their mobile phone. There are an-

28

und the Country other 55 on order which will be installed and implemented soon.

More red-light cameras have been installed in the capital city, Madrid.

An additional 9 cameras have been installed, on top of the 26 already existing, looking for vehicles which fail to stop at a red light. Despite the municipal government facing criticism for the cameras on account of the money they are now collecting, it must be remembered that the cameras only activate if an offence has been committed, and, moreover, the offence in question recorded by these devices is a practice which carries extreme risk, not only to the offender, but also other and more vulnerable road users. You can find the exact locations of these from the town hall website, Valencia has also increased its allocation of red-light cameras, with an additional 2 devices joining the 3 already on duty. The new devices are awaiting activation, but that will occur soon.

AlmerĂ­a Council announced the launch of a new mobile radar, which has been provided in conjunction with the DGT, specifically operating in the Roquetas de Mar area. Although not a permanent acquisition it will be operating at predetermined times in the area.

The same situation occurred in Jaen, where the local council also collaborated with the DGT to provide more coverage on the roads by using mobile speed detecting equipment.

Finally, we must once again mention the new lightweight portable devices which have been issued to the Guardia Civil. Small enough to be carried on their motorbikes, these new devices can quite literally be positioned almost anywhere and at any time.

Be on the lookout for these radars, you can check the DGT.es website for the latest locations, but above all, try not to get caught. The simplest way of avoiding detection is to always drive within the constraints of the maximum permitted speed of the road and the road conditions.

29

Test Yourself Here are TEN questions from the current UK Driving Theory Test.

Remember, novice and learner drivers have to study for this. See how many you get right.

By the way, if you want a hint, always consider safety when you answer.

(No cheating but the answers are at the bottom of the page)

1. Excessive tyre wear can be caused by:

2. After you have driven through a flooded

A. A cracked window B. Gearbox problems C. Suspension problems D. Headlight problems

area, what should you do?: A. Make sure your brakes are working B. Stop your vehicle and check your tyres C. Make sure your windows are clean and dry D. Check if the exhaust is working properly

3. If you are travelling down a steep hill, what can you do to control the vehicle?

A. Drive really close to the car in front B. Accelerate really quickly C. Change into a lower gear and brake gently D. Change into a high gear and brake firmly

4. There has been an accident and someone is unconscious. What is your highest priority?: A. Take the names and addresses of everyone B. Check breathing, stop any bleeding, call theemergency services C. Drive past D. Clean up any debris

5. Which of the following styles of driving is

6. Which type of vehicle requires extra room

the most risky?

A. Defensive B. Cautious C. Sensible D. Competitive

when you overtake it?: A. Train B. Motorcycle C. Tractor D. Car

7. You are able to drive on a footpath if A. You are approaching a property B. You really need to overtake a car C. There is a dip at the edge of the kerb D. Nobody is using the footpath

8. Where can you find a crawler lane on a

These questions were chosen because the same principles apply in Spain

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10. If you need to slow down quite quickly on a motorway, what should you do?

A. Sound your horn B. Turn on your hazard lights C. Use your hand signal D. Turn on your fog lights

Answers: 1C, 2A, 3C, 4B, 5D, 6B, 7A, 8D, 9C, 10B

9. You are allowed to use your hazard lights if: A. Your vehicle is being towed B. You have to double-park C. Your vehicle has broken down D. You have to park on double yellow lines

motorway?

A. Next to the hard shoulder B. Before a service station C. On a slip road D. On a steep gradient

The Gallery

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“A bit of Ruff Justice!!!”

That was the w inning ans wer to last month´ s caption competition, th anks to David Singer.

32

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Caption

If you snap an interesting road or traffic based picture, email it to news@n332.es to be featured or use the hashtag #n332es

el FAIL

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Competition

Finally, think of a funny caption for this photo, send it to news@n332.es, and we will not only feature the best one next time, you will win a small prize.

33

Seat Belts and Other Approved Restraint Systems The driver and other occupants of the vehicle will be obliged to use duly fastened seat belts and other approved systems of restraint adapted to their size and weight. This obligation will not be required in those vehicles in which they are not fitted.

In vehicles with more than nine seats, including that of the driver, the passengers will be informed of this obligation by the driver, the guide or the person in charge of the group, by audiovisual means or by means of signs or pictograms, situated in locations clearly visible from every seat.

The use of seat belts and other approved systems of restraint for minors under eighteen years of age and 135cm or less in height will be adjusted to the following requirements: a) Vehicles with up to nine seats, including the driver: Minors under eighteen years of age and 135cm or less in height must use an approved system of restraint adapted to their size and weight.

They must be situated in the rear seats of the vehicle, if these are provided. Exceptionally, they may occupy the front seat where all rear seats are occupied by minors under the age of eighteen and 135cm or less in height.

In cases where they occupy the front seat and the vehicle is fitted with a frontal air-bag, a rear-facing restraint system may only be used if the air-bag has been deactivated. b) Vehicles with more than nine seats, including the driver: Minors over 3 years and under eighteen years of age, and 135cm or less in height, must use an approved system of restraint adapted to their size and weight. Where such a system of restraint is not provided, the seat belts will be used, always where they are appropriate to size and weight.

Child restraint systems will be installed in the vehicle according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer in a manual, booklet or electronic publication. The instructions will indicate in what manner and in what type of vehicle they may be utilized safely.

Although the use of a seat belt has been responsible for saving countless lives over the years, and their mandatory use in most situations, there are some exemptions.

Notwithstanding the mandatory provisions already laid out, the following allowances will be made for driving without seatbelts or other approved restraint systems: a) Drivers carrying out manoeuvres in reverse or parking. b) Persons provided with a certificate of exemption for serious medical reasons or in consideration of impairment. This certificate must be presented where required by any agent of the authority in charge of traffic control to do so.

34

In preparation of the launch of our next eBook in December, we have decided to serialise the last one in the pages of this publication. In each edition we will work our way through the entire eBook so that you can collect your own full copy to use in the future.

The certificate must show its period of validity and be signed by a qualified practising physician. It must also carry the symbol established in the current rules.

Any certificate of this type issued by the competent authority of a member state of the European Union will be valid in Spain. It is however a good idea to have a copy translated so as to avoid any confusion caused by a lack of understanding of th elangauge.

There are other exemptions which will equally be applied while driving in towns, but in no case on motorways, dual carriageways or conventional roads: a) Drivers of taxis whilst in service. Additionally, where driving in urban traffic or urban areas of large cities, they may transport persons whose height does not exceed 135cm without using an approved restraint device adapted to their size and weight, always where they occupy a rear seat. b) Distributors of goods, where they are carrying out successive loading and unloading operations located within short distances. c) Drivers and passengers of emergency vehicles. d) Persons accompanying a pupil or learner during a driving lesson or driving tests and who are in charge of the supplementary controls of the car, being thereby responsible for the safe driving of the car.

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Helmets and Other Protective Items Drivers and passengers of motorcycles, with and without sidecars, of three-wheeled vehicles, quadricycles and special “quad� type vehicles must properly utilize approved protective helmets according to the current legislation, on all roads included in the scope of application of these rules.

Where the above-named vehicles have a protective bodyshell and are equipped with seat belts, and in this form feature the characteristics of mopeds on the technical inspection card or certificate, their drivers and passengers are exempt from using a protective helmet, while being obliged to use the seatbelt. This is a typical formation of small car-like vehicles commonly referred to as microcars.

The drivers of cars, buses, automobiles designated for the transport of goods, combined vehicles, groups of ordinary vehicles, as well as the drivers and assistance personnel of protective outriders and highway assistance tow-trucks, must use a reflective high-visibility vest where they exit their vehicles and occupy the road or the hard shoulder of urban routes.

Transport of Persons on Mopeds and Motorbikes The minimum age of a pillion passenger on a motorbike or moped is clearly defined in the regulations, with 12 years of age being that minimum. The manner in which a passenger must ride is also clearly established.

The drivers of mopeds and motorbikes, without prejudice to the established General Rules for Drivers, may transport, in addition to the sidecar occupant should this apply, one passenger over the age of twelve, using the approved safety helmet and complying with the following conditions: a) That they ride astride and with the feet supported on the lateral footrests. b) That they use the seat behind the driver. In no circumstances may the passenger be situated between the person driving and the handlebars.

In exceptional cases, children over seven years of age may ride on mopeds and motorbikes driven by their father, mother or teacher or by adults authorised by them, and always where the approved helmet is used and where the stipulations of the previous paragraph are complied with.

Mopeds, motorbikes and three-wheeled vehicles may pull an approved trailer or half-trailer, where it does not exceed 50% of the weight of the pulling vehicle when empty and where the following conditions are fulfilled: a) That it is driven in the daytime and in conditions which do not reduce visibility. b) That the speed at which it is driven in these conditions remains at 10% below the general speeds established for such vehicles in Article 48. c) That under no circumstances can a person be transported in the drawn vehicle.

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Pedestrians Pedestrians must walk on the pavements and other spaces reserved for their movement. Where these do not exist or are not usable, they may use the hard shoulder or, by default, the road, in accordance with the rules as laid down in this chapter.

Even where there is a pedestrian area, it is permitted to move along the hard shoulder or, where this does not exist or is insufficient, the road, adopting appropriate precautions and except where access is prohibited, as follows: a) For those carrying a large object or who are pushing or dragging a vehicle of reduced dimensions which is not motorized, if their transit along the pedestrian area or on the hard shoulder constitutes a considerable nuisance to other pedestrians. b) Any group of pedestrians being led by one person or forming a line. c) For those travelling in a wheelchair with or without a motor, at human walking speed.

On pedestrian zones and pavement systems the pedestrian will enjoy priority over vehicles on every part of the road, except where the signs specifically indicate otherwise.

Vehicles may not drive along the pavements and other pedestrian areas, except where provided for in these rules.

Those using skateboards, skates or similar apparatus will travel along the areas or lanes specially reserved for their use. They may transit the pavements and spaces reserved for the movement of pedestrians, always respecting the pedestrians' priority and at a speed which does not compromise safety nor hinder their mobility, if the municipal authority permits this under conditions determined by them, taking into account their use for recreation or for means of mobility. In no case may they be pulled behind vehicles.

Mechanical personal mobility vehicles may only be used on those roads, and under conditions and scenarios, expressly authorized by the municipal authority, remaining prohibited from driving on inter-city routes and crossings.

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Pedestrians and Other Crossings A pedestrian crossing is indicated by a series of wide lines, arranged on the road surface in bands parallel to the central line and which form a pattern across the road. This demarcation indicates a pedestrian crossing, where drivers of vehicles or animals must allow them to pass.

Although vehicles must stop to allow pedestrians to cross, pedestrians must not proceed to cross until it is safe to do so.

In terms of the markings of pedestrian crossings, it is not permitted to use other colours which alternate with the white lines.

Those pedestrian crossings regulated by traffic lights may be denoted by two broken white lines, provided on the road surface at right angles to the central line, the strip between the lines depending on the prevailing circumstances of the traffic and of the road and, in all cases, will include the width of the corresponding pedestrian waiting area.

Cycles being ridden may not cross the road at pedestrian crossings unless the rider disembarks and walks with the cycle, although there is now an exception to this rule which will be explained in the relevant section..

There are specific cycle crossings where the riders are permitted to cross without disembarking. These are marked out by two broken lines across and parallel to the road, where cyclists have priority. The demarcation for a cycle lane must be indicated between the two lines.

On those intersections regulated by traffic lights, markings consisting of two continuous lines across and at right angles to the central line of the road, denote a waiting space for two-wheeled motorbikes and mopeds, as well as for bicycles, as referred to in the section named “Advanced Positioning�.

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