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That's a strange reply, you say one thing, then immediately contradict it.There is no consensus on the Camino because pilgrims do whatever they want. The convention is to always walk facing oncoming traffic and not to jump until you can see the whites of the driver's eyes
I agree with your logic, @Bedspring. When walking in Spain, it's mostly wise to walk on the left hand side, facing oncoming traffic.In the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
That's true too - perhaps because many pilgrims aren't regular walkers in their home countries.There is no consensus on the Camino because pilgrims do whatever they want.
I assume you mean without pavement. In which case you’re correct, facing the traffic. Where safe to do so ! Sometimes on a blind curve there’s no room, so you have to swap over.In the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
face the traffic if walking on the shoulder, for your safety. hopefully this will happen only occasionally as there is usually a path (on the left or right) for pilgrims, away from the cars.In the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
In general, this is the rule. In practice, I tend to temper with a little common sense. A couple of examples:Pedestrians walking on the road in urban areas must always walk on the left so that they can see oncoming vehicles, and other drivers can clearly see them. If people walk on the right-hand side, cars are approaching from behind, which makes it harder to spot any danger. The fine for non-compliance is 100 euros. Found at Murcia Today
If the left side let you no room to escape, it's clever to move to the other side.
To cover all bases, I recommend walking on the underside of the road; this way you don't break any laws or offend any sensibilities. More preferable is to walk on air so as to not kill any insects, bugs, creepy crawlies, which is also life. I have done this on many occasions and have found it has worked out well. ChuckIn the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
Nuance, not contradiction. Consensus refers to an agreement reached within a group, convention implies a more widely held agreement, or even a time tested custom/tradition, and in this case, common sense. I remember coming onto a very busy road at one point with cars and trucks flying by and pilgrims on both sides. I crossed the road so I could keep an eye on approaching vehicles.That's a strange reply, you say one thing, then immediately contradict it.
LolOn the Via de la Plata my friend and I were walking on the right because it was the shady side. Guardia Civil came along and in no uncertain terms told us "Other side of the road" (in Spanish of course).
We complied, and once they were gone we crossed back to the shady side.
I would respectfully suggest to get yourself familiarized with @Tincatinker s posts. Perhaps after you get through 20-25 or so...That's a strange reply, you say one thing, then immediately contradict it.
Absolutely need to walk on the side facing the traffic. The Camino Frances route is mostly off road but there is a few areas where you share the road with cars and trucks. Very important to walk on the side where you are facing oncoming traffic as you can step to the side when need to. Also make sure you are not wearing headphones when walking on those roads. Stay safe and alert. As well and probably most important is on most routes there will be loads of cyclists (even on the walkers paths) and some tend to cycle very fast, so be alert. Just remember when one passes , another one isn't too far behind. Hope this helps. Buen CaminoIn the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
I guess regardless of what we all say you are more than welcome to walk opposite the traffic or with it based on your own whim
On the Via de la Plata my friend and I were walking on the right because it was the shady side. Guardia Civil came along and in no uncertain terms told us "Other side of the road"
Using common sense . . . That'll never catch on. Just waiting for someone to post a question on the Forum asking which sock to put on first . . .In general, this is the rule. In practice, I tend to temper with a little common sense. A couple of examples:
If I am approaching a sharp, blind turn I will walk on whichever side makes me most visible to oncoming traffic. Sometimes this is the right side. I don't want to be a surprise to drivers as they barrel around the turn.
If I am joining a busy road from the right and will be leaving it from the right shortly, I may decide the risks of crossing the busy road twice without signals are greater than the risks of walking a short way on the right side.
(And we won't talk about any potential decisions on a rarely driven road on a hot sunny day when the available shade is on the right side.)
Left foot, always the left foot first.Using common sense . . . That'll never catch on. Just waiting for someone to post a question on the Forum asking which sock to put on first . . .(might even have already been asked)
I do not know if you are new here but that reply was completely @Tincatinker esque answer. Also as he said pilgrims walk every which way and I often wonder what planet they are from with some of the decisions I have heard over the years. Walking with traffic is a formula for pain, broken bones and much worse.That's a strange reply, you say one thing, then immediately contradict it.
Wish they would have made a round trip.On the Via de la Plata my friend and I were walking on the right because it was the shady side. Guardia Civil came along and in no uncertain terms told us "Other side of the road" (in Spanish of course).
We complied, and once they were gone we crossed back to the shady side.
Perfect adviceIn general, this is the rule. In practice, I tend to temper with a little common sense. A couple of examples:
If I am approaching a sharp, blind turn I will walk on whichever side makes me most visible to oncoming traffic. Sometimes this is the right side. I don't want to be a surprise to drivers as they barrel around the turn.
If I am joining a busy road from the right and will be leaving it from the right shortly, I may decide the risks of crossing the busy road twice without signals are greater than the risks of walking a short way on the right side.
(And we won't talk about any potential decisions on a rarely driven road on a hot sunny day when the available shade is on the right side.)
Jump away from the carThat's a strange reply, you say one thing, then immediately contradict it.
Any Guardia Civil will tell you it is best to walk on the left, facing traffic. Of course in some mountain roads with scary drop offs this might be less advisable.In the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
We were told in no uncertain terms by a local in Portugal! Walk so you are facing the oncoming traffic!In the UK if walking on a road with pavement, the general advice would be to walk on the right, facing oncoming traffic, so I assumed in Spain, on the left, but there does not seem to be a consensus on the Camino.
Does spain have a highway code that gives advice?
Common sense is a strange thing, one person's common sense is another person's stupidity.In general, this is the rule. In practice, I tend to temper with a little common sense. A couple of examples:
If I am approaching a sharp, blind turn I will walk on whichever side makes me most visible to oncoming traffic. Sometimes this is the right side. I don't want to be a surprise to drivers as they barrel around the turn.
If I am joining a busy road from the right and will be leaving it from the right shortly, I may decide the risks of crossing the busy road twice without signals are greater than the risks of walking a short way on the right side.
(And we won't talk about any potential decisions on a rarely driven road on a hot sunny day when the available shade is on the right side.)
You can replace "common sense" with "good judgement". Which also may not be universally present. I added my contribution to the topic because, in my experience, all other things are not always equal. And people who just learn a rule and follow it without thinking further don't necessarily pay attention to that.Common sense is a strange thing, one person's common sense is another person's stupidity.
Common sense, to me suggests, all other things being equal, walk facing traffic, and my observation would suggest more than 50% of pilgrims have no common sense.
And the quote from The Murcia seems to answer my OP question about if there is an actual directive.
Oddly in Vietnam the consensus is to walk away from the traffic, which seems mad to me, but it's what they do.
I suppose some people would say setting out on 800km walk, is poor judgement.You can replace "common sense" with "good judgement". Which also may not be universally present. I added my contribution to the topic because, in my experience, all other things are not always equal. And people who just learn a rule and follow it without thinking further don't necessarily pay attention to that.
Congratulations!I suppose some people would say setting out on 800km walk, is poor judgement.
Anyway, I have reached Santiago safely, thanks for all the advice.
Allegedly, some British spies were captured in Germany because they looked to the right first instead of to the left. Could be an urban legend.It always takes me a while to adjust to the 'different side of the road' thing. The other important bit is to look 'left, right and left' when crossing the road. Simple stuff but easy to forget when you're tired.
Also, if they are going too fast, they may tend to drift (or skid) toward the outside of a curve or corner.If I am approaching a sharp, blind turn I will walk on whichever side makes me most visible to oncoming traffic. Sometimes this is the right side. I don't want to be a surprise to drivers as they barrel around the turn.
The right, because after you put it on, the other is left.Left foot, always the left foot first.
Well... the SUBURBAN legend is that it was the other way aroundAllegedly, some British spies were captured in Germany because they looked to the right first instead of to the left. Could be an urban legend.
"I recommend walking on the underside of the road" But your health might be at risk because you would usually be under the weather.To cover all bases, I recommend walking on the underside of the road; this way you don't break any laws or offend any sensibilities. More preferable is to walk on air so as to not kill any insects, bugs, creepy crawlies, which is also life. I have done this on many occasions and have found it has worked out well. Chuck
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