Chapter 14: Safety and Economical Driving

To prevent accidents, you should perform periodic and preventive maintenance of the vehicle, especially brakes, tyres and lights.

1. Active safety features

Prevent an accident, some examples are:

• Power assisted steering: reduces resistance to move the steering wheel
• Lighting: Xenon/bi-xenon and adaptive lamps improve illumination when correctly adjusted; daytime running lights improve visibility but do not replace required dipped headlights
• Assisted braking systems:
• ESP: stability control, helps correct skidding within the available grip
• Traction control: limits drive-wheel spin; it cannot create grip on a slippery surface
• ABS: anti-lock braking, helps prevent wheel lock and retain steering control during hard braking
• Cruise control: maintains the pre-set speed

2. Passive (or secondary) safety elements

If you have an accident, passive safety features reduce damage. Some examples are:

Seat belt:

Required for:

• Passenger cars and mixed adaptable vehicles: in all seats fitted with seat belts, on all types of roads
• Other vehicles, including lorries and buses: in all seats fitted with seat belts

Not required for:

• Emergency-service exceptions:
• Drivers and passengers of vehicles on emergency duty in built-up areas, excluding motorways, dual carriageways and conventional roads
• Ambulance occupants providing medical care in the patient compartment while on emergency duty, on any road
• The former exemptions for taxi drivers, delivery drivers and driving instructors no longer apply
• On all roads:
• Drivers while parking or reversing
• People with a valid medical exemption certificate, which must be available for inspection

It must be well anchored, tight fitting, and must pass over the collarbone and below the abdomen.

After an accident, it must be changed and inspected.

Adjust it well, do not wear bulky clothes, do not use clamps, towels, pillows, covers, etc. because the body can slide under the belt during braking (submarine effect).

The airbag:

Complements the seatbelt, should be inspected when indicated by the manufacturer. The airbag cushions an impact.

The head restraint:

Helps reduce whiplash. Adjust the head restraint to support the back of the head, with its top at head height where possible, and keep it close to the head, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Child safety restraining devices:

Use a rear seat where the child restraint can be installed correctly; the rear centre seat is suitable only if the seat and vehicle instructions allow secure fitting.

Child-restraint rules in cars:

• Children 135cm tall or shorter must use an approved restraint suitable for their size and weight, normally in a rear seat
• The front seat is allowed only if there are no rear seats, all rear seats are occupied by children who also require restraints, or the necessary restraints cannot all be installed in the rear
• Follow the restraint manufacturer’s installation and orientation instructions. A rear-facing restraint in the front passenger seat requires the frontal airbag to be deactivated

In urban taxi traffic, children under 135cm may travel in a rear seat without a child restraint, although using one is safer. This exception does not apply to interurban journeys.

Helmets and protective clothing: Motorcycle and moped riders and passengers must wear a fastened approved helmet and closed footwear covering the whole foot on all roads, plus protective gloves on interurban roads. The same rules cover sidecars, motor tricycles, quadricycles and quads. Vehicles with a documented protective structure and seat belts use those belts instead. Certified moped helmets remain permitted until 30 September 2027; from 1 October 2027 they must be UNECE R22 approved.

Cyclists and their passengers must wear a helmet on interurban roads; under-16s must wear one on all roads. Professional cycle riders must also wear one in towns. VMP riders must wear a helmet on every road where they are allowed. Professional motorcycle, moped, cycle and VMP riders must wear a high-visibility vest on all roads.

3. Preventative Safety

Reflective Vest:

Cars and motorcycles must carry a high-visibility reflective vest. Keep it within reach. The driver must wear it when leaving the vehicle and occupying the carriageway or shoulder of an interurban road, by day or night. Carrying a vest for every passenger is recommended.

Trips:

Check the condition of the vehicle, evenly distribute the load, review the documentation and tyre pressure, etc.

4. Braking distance

The distance travelled by the vehicle from when the driver applies the brake until fully stopped.

Higher speed -> increases braking distance

Load, tyres, brakes, road surface and gradient affect braking distance. A heavily loaded vehicle may need more distance to stop.

5. Reaction distance

The distance travelled by the vehicle during the reaction time. From when the driver perceives a hazard (an obstacle, a signal, noise, etc.) until they respond to it.

6. Reaction time

Reaction time is the time between perceiving a hazard and responding, for example by stepping on the brake. It is often around one second but can be longer. During that time, the distance travelled is called reaction distance.

The reaction time depends on the state of the driver: age, fatigue, alcohol, etc.

Reaction distance + braking distance = stopping distance

7. Economical driving

Consumption does not increase proportionally with speed. Faster speeds cause much greater consumption as the friction with the air increases.

As an approximate guide, change up in gasoline engines around 2000-2500rpm; follow the manufacturer’s guidance and traffic conditions.

For diesel engines, an approximate guide is 1500-2000rpm. Start driving gently as instructed by the manufacturer, avoiding unnecessary idling.

Incorrect actions: Coasting downhill in neutral (because it wears down the brakes), not turning on the lights when required, not performing maintenance checks (you could have a leak), lowering the windows to save on air conditioning (driving with the windows open causes a lack of aerodynamics in the vehicle, which increases consumption). Skimping on maintenance, using gasoline with a lower octane rating than that recommended by the manufacturer.

Use a comfortable cabin temperature and demist the windows when necessary. Air conditioning can increase consumption, but clear visibility and driver alertness take priority.

Use the highest suitable gear without straining the engine. Anticipate traffic and keep a steady, safe speed, avoiding unnecessary braking and acceleration.

Increased consumption on urban roads.

Fuel saving tips:

• Do not use the car for short journeys
• Plan the best route
• Avoid peak hours
• Use public transport

8. Types of pollution

Atmospheric: high idle, dirty air filter, not having catalytic converters, engine problems...

Acoustic: overuse of horn in prohibited places, not having silencer/muffler...

Prohibited: dumping used oil, littering out the window, washing the car on public roads...