Driving in Ibiza
- Thread starter muffin
- Start date
muffin said:
Can anyone tell me what the road users are like in Ibiza? I'm thinking about hiring a car out there but dont quite know what to expect. Is it laid back driving 8) or crazy manic nutters?!
Hola muffin,
If you use the search option above you'll find posts like this:
http://www.ibiza-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=34198&highlight=driving
CasperSlides
New Member
I think that main points to remember are:
1) Drive on the right side of the road here.
2) On a roundabout the inside lane is never used by the Spanish, they use the outside (right) lane for whichever exit they are taking so always keep an eye on the right as you exit. It sems dangerous to us but they all drive like that and are taught to do it at driving school. It can take the unwary by surprise though.
3) If the car in front is indicating left, he may be turning left, but he may also be indicating that the car in front is turning left and he is about to pull out to the right to go around him.
4) Don't even think about drinking and driving, the police are having a big crackdown here and they are nowhere near as lenient as British courts. Twelve people were killed in drink related incidents in the first four months of this year - a massive amount on an island with such a small population. Thankfully they mostly lost control and ran off the road without involving anybody else.
If you are Spanish you have the following additional road rules that you must adhere to (these don't apply to tourists):
1) Every car in front MUST be overtaken even if it means risking life and limb overtaking on blind corners and across unbroken white lines. It also seems that the more children there are on board the more reckless the overtaking will be.
2) It is mandatory to smoke a cigarette and talk on a mobile phone whenever you drive.
3) If you see somebody that you know, then you MUST stop in the middle of the road and chat to them through the window especially if that means holding up all the traffic behind you.
4) If parking spaces look too small you can use your car to bump them backwards or forwards thereby making the space larger.
On the plus side I have never seen any examples of road rage. I haven't even heard a car horn used in anger.
1) Drive on the right side of the road here.
2) On a roundabout the inside lane is never used by the Spanish, they use the outside (right) lane for whichever exit they are taking so always keep an eye on the right as you exit. It sems dangerous to us but they all drive like that and are taught to do it at driving school. It can take the unwary by surprise though.
3) If the car in front is indicating left, he may be turning left, but he may also be indicating that the car in front is turning left and he is about to pull out to the right to go around him.
4) Don't even think about drinking and driving, the police are having a big crackdown here and they are nowhere near as lenient as British courts. Twelve people were killed in drink related incidents in the first four months of this year - a massive amount on an island with such a small population. Thankfully they mostly lost control and ran off the road without involving anybody else.
If you are Spanish you have the following additional road rules that you must adhere to (these don't apply to tourists):
1) Every car in front MUST be overtaken even if it means risking life and limb overtaking on blind corners and across unbroken white lines. It also seems that the more children there are on board the more reckless the overtaking will be.
2) It is mandatory to smoke a cigarette and talk on a mobile phone whenever you drive.
3) If you see somebody that you know, then you MUST stop in the middle of the road and chat to them through the window especially if that means holding up all the traffic behind you.
4) If parking spaces look too small you can use your car to bump them backwards or forwards thereby making the space larger.
On the plus side I have never seen any examples of road rage. I haven't even heard a car horn used in anger.
woodruffe
Active Member
yep all the 1st 3 points are true.(and the rest is brill) but true.i was stopped in may for having my fog light on by mistake. the policeman check my breath for ale,but i never drink and drive in ibiza.its near 0 rate.thing is most of the drivers in ibiza have never been of the island,so they may think its busy but put them in a uk city.and i thing they would just stop.they do not know how to use islands?/ plus dont forget to stop at a crossing,then see a bus or bike come in on the inside and knock them over,its up to you wether you stop or go,but being british we stop.but after a bit you just carry on,if you do get lost or not sure just stop in the middle of the road,someone will soon tell you what to do?in ibiza town watch out for the bikers who hang on to your car for a ride,its fun and a joy to drive in ibiza,you will love it,ok