Other Users
The Driver and Road Coexistence
The road is a shared space. As a future driver, you are not alone; you share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Understanding how to interact with them is vital for your safety and to pass the exam.
1. Driver Obligations
The driver must always maintain freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision, and permanent attention to driving.
Posture and Devices
- Position: You must maintain a proper position, also taking care of passengers and the placement of objects or animals.
- Prohibitions: It is totally forbidden to use headphones or headsets connected to sound players, as well as the manual use of mobile phones or GPS navigators while the vehicle is in motion.
- Note: GPS is allowed if it does not interfere with vision and is not manipulated while moving.
Principles of Collaboration
For traffic to flow safely, we must follow these principles:
- Do not disturb: Comply with rules and do not throw objects onto the road (especially butts that can cause fires).
- Do not surprise: Warn of maneuvers well in advance (lights or arm).
- Warn: Make sure others have perceived our signals.
- Understand: Practice defensive driving, anticipating the movements of others and excusing their mistakes.
Watch out: The use of radar detectors or mechanisms to evade surveillance is prohibited.
2. The Zone of Uncertainty
Every road user (pedestrians, vehicles, animals) has a space around them into which they could move unexpectedly. This is called the zone of uncertainty.
- You must foresee these movements, especially with children or the elderly.
- Vehicles have front, rear, and lateral zones of uncertainty (when opening doors, for example).
- Cyclists also have their own zone of uncertainty.
3. Pedestrians
A pedestrian is considered anyone who walks, pushes a bike or stroller, or moves in a wheelchair.
General Rules
- The driver has right of way over pedestrians on the roadway and shoulder, with exceptions.
- Prohibited: Stopping or parking on pedestrian crossings or on sidewalks.
- Overtaking: Outside urban areas, when overtaking pedestrians, a minimum lateral separation of 1.50 meters must be left.
When does the pedestrian have priority?
The driver must yield in:
- Marked pedestrian crossings.
- Pedestrian and residential zones.
- Marked bus stops (when passengers get on/off).
- When turning at an intersection and crossing a road where pedestrians are crossing (even if there is no painted crossing).
- When the pedestrian is walking on the shoulder and the vehicle is going to cross it.
4. Two-Wheeled Vehicles (Cycles and Bikes)
They are less stable, more fragile, and less visible vehicles. They require extra caution, especially at night.
Cyclists
- Place: Must ride on the shoulder or essential part of the roadway to their right.
- Helmet: Mandatory on interurban roads (except uphill ramps, extreme heat, or medical reasons).
- Motorways and Dual Carriageways:
- Motorways: Prohibited.
- Dual Carriageways: Allowed to ride on the shoulder if the cyclist is over 14 years old.
- In a group: Can ride in a column of two. If the first enters a roundabout, the whole group has priority over approaching vehicles.
Motorcycles
- Must keep lights on.
- Mandatory use of homologated helmet for both driver and passenger.
5. Summary of Right of Way Priorities
For the exam, memorize this table of exceptions. As a general rule, vehicles have priority, EXCEPT in these cases:
| User | Have Priority over the Vehicle when... |
|---|---|
| Pedestrians | 1. In pedestrian crossings. 2. When the vehicle turns to enter another road and there are pedestrians crossing. 3. On shoulders if the vehicle is going to cross them. 4. Residential/pedestrian zones. |
| Cyclists | 1. In bike lanes or cyclist crossings. 2. When the vehicle turns to enter another road and there are cyclists. 3. When they ride in a group and the first has already entered the roundabout or crossing. |
| Animals | 1. In duly signaled glens (cañadas). 2. When the vehicle turns to enter another road and there are animals crossing. 3. When the vehicle crosses a shoulder where animals are walking. |
6. Lateral Safety Distances
When overtaking or passing vulnerable users outside urban areas, distance is key to avoid accidents due to the "air blast".
- 1.50 meters minimum: Mandatory when overtaking pedestrians, cyclists, animals, or animal-drawn vehicles outside urban areas.
- Furthermore, part or all of the adjacent lane must be occupied to perform the maneuver safely.