Many people will travel on the roads on holiday in Spain from today. InSpain.News has put together some advice and well as tips from the Policia Nacional and the
Guardia Civil to ensure you stay safe and enjoy your trip.
As reported in an earlier article, it is officially winter in parts of Spain. Most of the year, we are blessed with blue skies and warm weather. In fact, it is probably one of the main factors people move from the UK and other countries to Spain.
However, currently, some parts of the country are cold and experiencing snow. So, if you plan to travel on holiday, please read on, as you may not expect to come across a snowstorm in Spain.
Social media
But the weather is not the only thing you should consider before setting off. Many of us spend a lot of time on social media posting daily events in our lives. Please do not post details of an upcoming holiday. This will certainly keep your family and friends up to date with your plans, but it could also alert some unwelcome “guests” while you are away.
Also read: Ski season in Spain is underway
If you do not have an alarm system or cameras that can be viewed remotely, perhaps Your trusted neighbours can help guard your home in your absence. According to the police, this could help to alert the Civil Guard to criminal or potentially criminal behaviour. However, it is important that they do not intervene, they must only report.
Tus vecinos de confianza pueden ayudar en la vigilancia de su casa en tu ausencia.
Contribuye a la detección y actuación en tiempo y forma alertando a la Guardia Civil ante conductas delictivas o susceptibles de serlo.
⚠️Es importante que no intervengan, solo informen#ConsejosGC pic.twitter.com/E5943gvhgS— Guardia Civil 🇪🇸 (@guardiacivil) December 22, 2022
Basic safety guidelines for travelling on the roads during the holidays
Before you go, tune up your vehicle, check the levels of oil and other liquids, the condition of the tyres and battery. If you do not have winter tyres, remember to put the chains on or have practised how to do this beforehand. Check the weather before setting off and avoid travelling during the rush hour.
Ensure you have a full tank of fuel, that your mobile phone is fully charged and take a charger for the vehicle or even a laptop. And take warm clothing inside the car such as a blanket, jacket, gloves and some food and water.
And once you are underway, adjust your driving and speed to suit the road conditions. Do not be in a hurry and do not set a deadline because the most important thing is to arrive safely.
Do you know what to do if you get stuck in a snowstorm in Spain?
Firstly, do not try and continue to drive. Keep calm and stay to one side of the road to allow snowploughs access and to pass.
Notify your location by calling 112 or the emergency number of the Guardia Civil 062.
If you have the approved V16 emergency light, place it on top of the vehicle to make sure you are visible. Stay inside the car with the engine running and the heater on. Roll down the windows from time to time to renew the air inside the car. Also, it is very important to check the exhaust pipe is free of snow to stop the gas from entering the car.
And when you can resume your journey, before you set off, remove any snow that may have fallen on the roof, clean the windows and headlights.
Winter sports
If you plan on going to enjoy some winter sports, then always take the safety advice of the company involved. Never go off on your own, and always advise someone where you are going and when you expect to return. It is also important to ensure you have adequate clothing for the weather.
The most important thing of all is that everyone stays safe and enjoys the festive holidays.
