News: More than half of motorists in Spain do not use the direction indicator

It is probably one of those things where many Dutch, English and Belgians who came to live in Spain or often drive around with their own or rental car about complaining but something that belongs to Spain (according to many).

A study by the Abertis group showed that 53.1% of Spaniards do not use the direction indicator if one wants to catch up on the highway.

While 53.1% of motorists on the Spanish motorways do not use direction indicators (intermitentes) when someone catches up, in 67.1% of cases this is not done when, after catching up, they return to the right lane. According to Abertis, not using the direction indicators correctly or not is dangerous and can cause accidents.

The study also showed that 38.1% of motorists on the highway drive too fast / fast but not much faster than allowed. 36.3% of drivers for transport services also do this and in the case of buses and coaches this is 18%. In 26% of the cases, speeding is a cause of an accident.

It has also been found that (only) 3.4% use the smartphone or mobile while driving on the motorways. Distraction, such as using the mobile phone, is currently the first cause of an accident on the Spanish roads.

Abertis research was carried out on the AP-7 highway between Salou (Tarragona) and Puçol (Valencia), looking at the driving behavior of drivers in 58,000 cars and 11,200 heavier vehicles such as buses, trucks and larger vans.

Direction indicators

Indicating direction is not a voluntary activity in Spain but a legally regulated obligation, just as everywhere is likely. Using direction indicators also significantly increases safety in traffic. If you do not give direction, you can get fines if the police see that. These can go up to 300 euros but are (unfortunately) rarely given.

When you use the direction indicator, you as a driver of a vehicle indicate what you are going to do, but it is so easy for other road users who can better predict what someone will do and then be able to act. Mind you, using the direction indicators does not mean that you have priority in traffic, which strangely enough many people think.

There are some rules for using the turn signal: You have to use the turn signal at:

Wanting to drive away

Overtaking other motor vehicles

Leaving and entering the through road

Changing lanes

All other important lateral displacements

In addition to using the direction indicators, it is also important to know what is happening around you, so that you can look carefully in the inside mirror, the outside mirror and the blind spot or over your shoulder.

And what about stating direction on a roundabout? When you drive a roundabout you do not have to give direction in principle, although it is clearer of course. If you leave the roundabout, you have to indicate direction as you will drive to the right. It is always important that you give priority to cyclists who are still driving on a roundabout.