Latest news with #GeneralDirectorateofTraffic
Local Spain
a day ago
- Automotive
- Local Spain
Driving in Spain: The new road signs from July 2025
Spain has made the decision to modernise some of its road and traffic signs to adapt to new forms of mobility, such as electric scooters and low-emission vehicles, as well as improve understanding and safety on the roads. The new catalogue of traffic signs approved by the Spanish Cabinet will come into force on July 1st, meaning you could start to see new ones on roads from next month. Local authorities have until July 2026, however, to remove old signs, so it may be a while yet. Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has given five clear reasons why it deems it necessary to change these signs. New means of transport - The emergence of personal mobility vehicles (MVPs) such as scooters and electric bicycles, requires specific regulations. Technology and sustainability - The proliferation of electric and low-emission zones require adapted signs. Clarity and road safety - Some old signs caused confusion or had outdated pictograms. Gender perspective - Stereotypes are eliminated in several signs. International harmonisation - Spain wants to align itself with the Vienna Convention on road signs. The new catalogue of traffic signs incorporates a series of new symbols created to respond to the new realities and mobility needs posed by a constantly evolving society. As well as new signs the DGT have replaced some of the old signs with new ones. For example, the P-21 sign warns drivers that there may be children playing close by. These are typically placed near schools, nurseries and playgrounds. The only difference to the current sign is that now the brother is younger and the sister is older, rather than the other way around. The DGT has released two infographics showing some of the new signs, as well as which have been updated. New Signs The first new sign on the top left with the two people in the red triangle means is a sign to warn drivers of their proximity to nursing homes. The one next to this, known as the p-22 shows a man riding a bicycle in a red triangle. This is to warn drivers of the presence of cycle lanes. The next one down on the right hand side (R412b) with a car tyre and a block of ice indicates that you should not continue driving without special winter tires. On the left next to this is sign R-420 – an electric scooter in a blue circle. It means that drivers of bicycles and personal mobility vehicles must use the road at the entrance they are located. It also prohibits other road users from using it. Under this on the left is a blue square with an electric scooter and a bicycle on one side and a pedestrian on the other. This is S-43 which indicates the existence of a road designated for the circulation of bicycles, MVPs, and pedestrians, with differentiated space between the first two and third. The design of the sign may be adapted to the actual space conditions on each road. Next to this on the left is a blue box with a car, a cyclist and two pedestrians, plus the number 20 in a red circle. This is S-47 which indicates a traffic zone intended primarily for pedestrians. The maximum speed limit for all vehicles and cyclists here is 20km. Where applicable, personal mobility vehicles may travel in both directions, unless otherwise established. Vehicles may park only in places designated by signs or markings; games and sports are not permitted. The signs at the bottom indicate electric charging stations for vehicles, as well as LPG and hydrogen points. The DGT has also re-designed some of the old signs to update them. The top sign – the P-8, warns drivers of a level crossing at a train track without barriers. It is already in use, but it is being replaced with a new one showing modern electric train rather than the old steam train. The second one is an updated version of a sign that warns of the danger due to a section of the road with a steep upward or downward slope, the new signs now including an arrow to clarify which is which. Sign P-33, the third sign down on the infographic warns drivers about dangers due to reduced visibility in the area. This could be because of fog, rain, snow or smoke. It now shows a car half covered by black lines instead of just a few black dots, in order to make it clearer. Below that is the updated road sign which signals no entry to mopeds and lastly the new version of the road sign which prohibits entry to agricultural motor vehicles.
Daily Tribune
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Call for licence reform as road offences rise
Handbrake turns, redlight runs and emergency-lane dashes are now everyday sights on Bahrain's roads, says MP Hassan Ebrahim, who wants tougher laws, driver retraining and road-sense lessons in schools. He warns that these habits have moved from scattered lapses to a shared pattern. 'These are no longer single mistakes,' he said. 'We need rules with real bite and courses that teach repeat offenders how to behave behind the wheel.' Crash data and day-to-day observations from the General Directorate of Traffic point to a steady rise in sudden swerves, lane-straddling and haphazard parking, especially at rush hour. Compulsory courses Ebrahim praises the UAE, where fines come with compulsory courses. 'The UAE's record shows stronger penalties work, yet the ticket on its own is only half the cure,' he said. 'Change comes when the driver's attitude is fixed as well.' Reckless driving, he insists, cuts across the board. 'You see it among citizens and expats, men and women alike. It shows up most among the young, so our first task is to reach them,' he said, urging a joint push by the education, interior and youth ministries. Problem Stress, poor time-keeping and simmering frustration feed the problem, he added. Crowded districts and scarce parking worsen it. 'When a driver can't find a legal place to leave the car, he stops wherever he can,' he noted. Penalties He wants the Traffic Law rewritten so penalties rise with each repeat and unpaid fines block licence or insurance renewal. He also backs a secure digital channel for anonymous public reports of dangerous driving. 'Road safety belongs to all of us,' he said. 'Law, learning and public vigilance must pull together. Only then will our roads feel safe again.'
Daily Tribune
06-06-2025
- Daily Tribune
Fwd: Multiple Traffic Violations Caught on Camera
TDT | Manama Reckless behavior, viral videos, and urgent legal reform Bahrain takes bold steps to restore order on its roads A wave of dangerous driving incidents in Bahrain over just 48 hours has sparked national concern, prompting swift legal action and renewed calls for stricter traffic laws. The General Directorate of Traffic confirmed multiple arrests and investigations following a string of violations that were either caught on surveillance or went viral on social media. Wrong-Way Crashes On June 4, a 31-year-old man was arrested in Sanad after a social media video showed him recklessly driving the wrong way on National Charter Road. The stunt endangered countless drivers, but traffic authorities acted quickly to identify and detain him and legal action is underway. Just two days earlier, on June 2, a 29-year-old Bahraini driver was involved in a shocking accident on Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Highway, heading toward King Fahd Causeway, driving against traffic. The crash, captured on CCTV, showed the vehicle colliding with several others. The driver and several victims sustained serious injuries. Emergency teams responded swiftly, and legal steps were taken immediately. Car Door Incident on Janabiya Road Another widely shared video showed a passenger opening a car door while the vehicle was moving along Janabiya Road. The Traffic Directorate confirmed the car had Gulf plates and that the act was the result of a personal dispute inside the vehicle. The incident raised alarm about road safety, and legal procedures were promptly carried out. Red Light Violations In a separate case, two drivers—a truck driver and a private vehicle operator—were arrested after being caught on camera running a red light on Budaiya Road, recklessly risking the safety of other road users. Traffic authorities confirmed that both individuals were dealt with in accordance with the law. sds Saar Tragedy The heightened concern comes in the wake of a devastating tragedy last week in Saar, where a speeding car veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Bahraini couple's vehicle. The couple, aged 40 and 36, tragically lost their lives, while their three children—ages 12, 9, and 7—suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital care. According to traffic authorities, the crash was caused by reckless driving and excessive speed. The incident shook the nation and pushed the government into immediate action. Cabinet Responds In a weekly session chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Cabinet reviewed urgent legislative amendments to Bahrain's traffic laws. The proposed changes, presented by the Minister of Interior, include harsher penalties, increased fines, and stricter sentencing for violations that cause injury or death. The reforms also aim to address dangerous driving behaviors such as wrong-way driving, red light violations, and high-speed stunts—reinforcing the government's firm stance on protecting public safety. Several Members of Parliament are now advocating for mandatory dash cameras in all vehicles to deter reckless behavior and aid investigations. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Traffic continues to emphasize that road safety is a shared responsibility, warning that reckless driving will be met with zero tolerance.
Gulf Insider
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
MPs Propose Ban On 'Tuk-Tuks' On Bahrain's Public Roads
Three Bahraini MPs-Khalid Bu Onq, Ahmed Al-Salloom, and Hisham Al-Awadhi-have submitted a parliamentary proposal to prohibit the use of 'tuk-tuks' on the Kingdom's public roads. The move comes after a widely circulated video clip showed a woman driving a tuk-tuk in the Diyar Al Muharraq area. Similar sightings have reportedly occurred in other parts of the Kingdom, raising questions about the legality and safety of such vehicles. Safety Risks HighlightedIn the explanatory memorandum attached to the proposal, the MPs underscored that tuk-tuks pose a direct threat to public safety. These vehicles typically lack essential safety features, such as seat belts, durable chassis structures, and adequate lighting or signaling systems. Furthermore, they are not designed to be part of modern traffic systems and are rarely subjected to regular maintenance or technical inspections. Call for Traffic CrackdownThe MPs urged the General Directorate of Traffic to intensify field campaigns across Bahrain to locate and deal with unlicensed tuk-tuks. They called for strict enforcement measures, including issuing fines, impounding vehicles, and seizing them in cases of repeat violations or when public safety is at Road Order and Public Safety The lawmakers emphasized that their proposal aims to uphold traffic system integrity and ensure the safety of both citizens and residents. They stressed the importance of adhering to the Kingdom's road and traffic regulations, especially as Bahrain continues to modernize its urban infrastructure. The proposal is now expected to be reviewed and debated in the upcoming sessions of the Council of Representatives. Also read: Education Ministry Issues Tough New Rules To Curb Misbehaviour In Public School Classrooms And Online
Daily Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MPs Propose Ban on 'Tuk-Tuks' on Bahrain's Public Roads Amid Safety Concerns
Three Bahraini MPs—Khalid Bu Onq, Ahmed Al-Salloom, and Hisham Al-Awadhi—have submitted a parliamentary proposal to prohibit the use of "tuk-tuks" on the Kingdom's public roads. The move comes after a widely circulated video clip showed a woman driving a tuk-tuk in the Diyar Al Muharraq area. Similar sightings have reportedly occurred in other parts of the Kingdom, raising questions about the legality and safety of such vehicles. Safety Risks Highlighted In the explanatory memorandum attached to the proposal, the MPs underscored that tuk-tuks pose a direct threat to public safety. These vehicles typically lack essential safety features, such as seat belts, durable chassis structures, and adequate lighting or signaling systems. Furthermore, they are not designed to be part of modern traffic systems and are rarely subjected to regular maintenance or technical inspections. Call for Traffic Crackdown The MPs urged the General Directorate of Traffic to intensify field campaigns across Bahrain to locate and deal with unlicensed tuk-tuks. They called for strict enforcement measures, including issuing fines, impounding vehicles, and seizing them in cases of repeat violations or when public safety is at risk. Preserving Road Order and Public Safety The lawmakers emphasized that their proposal aims to uphold traffic system integrity and ensure the safety of both citizens and residents. They stressed the importance of adhering to the Kingdom's road and traffic regulations, especially as Bahrain continues to modernize its urban infrastructure. The proposal is now expected to be reviewed and debated in the upcoming sessions of the Council of Representatives.
