Motoring Information
Traffic drives on the right hand side of the road, continental rules of the road apply and the international sign system are used.
Unless there are signs to the contrary, traffic from the right has priority at squares, cross-roads and junctions. Vehicles on roundabouts travel anti clockwise, and have priority over waiting
traffic. Should you become disorientated when travelling, the "pedestrian pavement" is always to be found on your right hand side! Alcohol The alcohol limit is 5ml per litre, dont ride if you've been drinking...
Crash Helmets & Trikes
Crash helmets must be worn at all times when riding a motorbike
but it is your choice when riding a trike. However there are stories of people been stopped for NOT wearing a crash helmet whilst riding a trike. A triker from Dublin tells a amusing story where by he was riding his trike without a helmet when he was stopped. Confusion, to say the least, arose in the interpretation of the law and the officers were trying to imply that his "Trike" was in deed a "Tricycle" and therefore required him by law to wear a crash helmet. My advice to riders of Trikes would be to carry a spare helmet and wear it should the need arise to enable you to continue on your journey and at the same time humour the law!
Head Lights Certain countries, like Spain and
Portugal, do require you to ride a motorbike with dipped headlights on at all times, but most certainly when passing through a tunnel. A further legal requirement is that you also carry a full
set of replacement vehicle light bulbs and one if not two "accident triangles". If you are a rider of an older motorbike, it may be wise to check that the headlight unit is not a sealed
light beam unit but the type that houses a interchangeable light bulb unit. Also note that your headlight light beam must "Deflect" to the right hand side of the road and not to the
left hand side of the road as required in the United Kingdom. Pedestrians There is very little advance warning of pedestrian crossings, and pedestrians, rightly or wrongly, excercise their right of way at all times! Many roads in Portugal have a solid central reservation single white line which may not be crossed at any time else you
risk an on the spot cash fine . The Portuguese solid central reservation single white line is equivalent to the UK's solid
central reservation double white lines. At times you may well see one or two broken lines and at this point you may cross the
central reservation but only on the side of the solid line that has a broken white line. Speed Limits Speed limits are 50kph (31 mph) in towns and 90kph (55 mph) on other roads and 120 kph (74mph) on motorways. Breaking the speed limit and other traffic offences incurs an on the spot cash fine Documents You will be required to carry a form of identification such as a
passport or picture driving licence and if applicable all legal vehicle documents such as driving licence both picture and paper, insurance, MOT and road tax. To assist in any matters requiring
your legal documents it may be wise to carry a number of photo copies of your legal documents so that you may hand the copy details to any person(s) who may desire your details. |
