right lane required in case of snow or ice

In addition, this year the Christmas festivities coincided with the appearance of adverse weather phenomena, with warnings and alerts from AEMET and DGT, recommending avoiding travel by car or paying particular attention to possible road conditions.

In order to speed up cleaning tasks, the General Directorate of Traffic is working on an amendment to the General Traffic Regulations. According to this reform of article 31, in conditions of heavy snow or ice on highways and highways, it will be mandatory to drive exclusively in the right lane. This measure aims to leave the left lane free for the passage of snow plows and emergency vehicles, ensuring that road maintenance is not hampered by blocked traffic.

During the entry into force of this rule, it is advisable to take into account the recommendation and at the same time pay attention to both the Highway Code and the recommendations of the General Directorate of Traffic.

Rain: the most frequent and dangerous phenomenon

Rain is the most common atmospheric event and the one that has the greatest impact on daily traffic. Its danger lies in the loss of adhesion tires on wet asphalt, which significantly increases the braking distance. Additionally, the first few drops are particularly critical as they mix with dust, grease and leaves, turning the roadway into an extremely slippery surface.

During 2024, 3,397 rain-related casualty accidents were recorded, resulting in the deaths of 72 people. To avoid risks, it is recommended to reduce speed, increase the safety distance and avoid sudden maneuvers such as acceleration or braking. It is imperative to check before hitting the road that the lights, windshield wipers and heated rear window are working perfectly.

Snow and ice: when the asphalt loses control

Snow and ice represent high risk situations. While the first flakes already make the asphalt slippery and hide the signs, ice is an invisible danger that usually appears in shady areas, with high humidity or temperatures below 3ºC. In fact, grip on ice is even lower than on snow.

In 2024, these phenomena caused 107 accidents causing victims and costing two lives. If you are surprised by snow, you must turn on your low beams, drive around other vehicles and operate the steering wheel and clutch extremely gently. If you encounter a patch of ice, the instructions are clear: reduce your speed as much as possible, maintain your trajectory and avoid suddenly touching the brakes or the steering wheel. If the intensity of snowfall increases, you should not drive without chains or winter tires.

The wind: the invisible danger

Strong gusts of wind can destabilize the vehicleespecially when overtaking or crossing large vehicles. “Blank” or “screen” effects can cause dangerous lateral movements. According to 2024 data, wind was the cause of 200 accidents causing casualties, with two deaths.

The main recommendation is to slow down and use low speeds to have more power against wind resistance. The driver should hold the steering wheel gently but firmly, being extremely careful when exiting tunnels or passing tall buildings.

Fog: total loss of visibility

Although less common, fog is one of the most dangerous incidents because it significantly reduces visibility and moistens the asphalt. In 2024, it caused 1,004 accidents causing victims and 24 deaths. When faced with a bank of fog, it is obligatory to turn on the low beam and fog lights (especially the rear ones if they are dense), always adjusting the speed to what you can see.

You must drive on the right, following road markings and paying attention to the most vulnerable users such as motorcycles or pedestrians. On two-way roads, overtaking is prohibited if visibility is reduced. If the fog is too thick, the safest thing to do is to abandon the road and wait for it to clear.