Avoid Fines – Little Known Traffic Rules Nº 4

Pedestrians and traffic rules that concern them.

Most of you will know that when walking on a road without seperate sidewalks, outside city limits for example, your place on the road is on the left, facing upcoming traffic. But did you know that when you walk, pushing a bike or a scooter (e.g. with a flat tyre) or pushing a wheelbarrow (for all you campo dwellers 🙂 ) your place on the road is on the right? Same goes if you are using a wheelchair or are walking in a group that is lead by one person, or in a group with ceremonial purpose, e.g. wedding or funeral.

If the situation on the left of the road makes it unsafe for pedestrians to walk there, e.g. very small margen, you are also supposed to choose the right hand side of the road to walk on if that offers higher level of safety.

As a pedestrian you are not allowed to walk on the actual lane(s) of a roundabout. So if they do not have a seperate sidewalk you can safey use, you are supposed to find your way around them, using the margens if possible.

If you are walking anytime between dusk and dawn, or in bad weather conditions that influence visibility negatively, on a road as described in first paragraph, you are obliged by law to wear reflecting clothing, homologated, visible from a distance of 150 m. And if walking in a group, the persons walking closest to the actual lane of the road, should wear lights indicating the size of the group, so at the head of the group a white light directed to the  front, and at the rear of the group, a red light directed backwards.

If a road has a zebra crossing, you are supposed to use that to cross the road.

Next week´s episode will be on signs and signals.

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.