Driving in Spain and Portugal?

[Dan Simoes]

Portugal driving tips:

- people everywhere speed and pass illegally.  This is why there is a
"zero tolerance" policy if a cop sees you breaking the law.

- drunk driving is a major problem

- people are used to passing, sometimes around blind corners.  You, as
the oncoming car, are expected to pull to the right and allow the idiot
to complete his pass.
- if you want to speed, do it on the toll highways
- passing on the right is illegal
- rotaries (rotundas) are everywhere, and are a much safer way of
handling intersections, but know that the people in the rotary have the
right of way
- you may want to get an international drivers license, just in case you
screw up and they take your license, you will at least have your US
license.

My advice, if you are not used to european driving?  Drive reasonably
(not too slow, not too fast), drive defensively, don't drink, and think
about what you are doing before you do it.  Portugal has one of the
highest (or the highest) mortality rate for auto accidents, don't become
part of the statistic.  Radar detectors and talking on a cell phone
while driving are illegal.

With all that said, I prefer driving in Europe (and Portugal) compared
to the US.  I'll take my chances on the banzai in the tricked out
Peugeot 205 diesel versus the fat cigar-smoking American in his minivan,
passing on the right as he talks on his phone, balancing a cup of coffee
in his lap.

Scott wrote:
>
> All this fastest driving thread has made me wonder....
>
> I will be visiting Spain and Portugal soon.
> How strict are each country on speed enforcement on whatever they have in
> the way of rural highways?
> If pulled over does one pay there and/or offer an inducement to forget they
> saw you?
>
> Just curious,
> Scott