Estrechamiento de calzadaEspaña

Aprende normas de tráfico con explicaciones claras y ejemplos visuales en nuestro libro ilustrado, diseñado para que estudiar sea sencillo y ameno.


16. Estrechamiento de calzada

Un estrechamiento de calzada es un tramo donde la anchura disponible para el tráfico disminuye. Puede deberse a obras, un puente, un obstáculo, una reducción del número de carriles o al diseño de la carretera.

Los conductores deben reducir la velocidad, observar las señales de prioridad y estar preparados para ceder el paso cuando no haya espacio suficiente para que pasen vehículos en ambos sentidos. También deben dejar espacio adicional a ciclistas y vehículos anchos.

Estrechamiento de calzada
What is a road narrowing?

A road narrowing is a section where the usable width of the road becomes smaller. Traffic may have less space to pass, merge or travel beside other road users.

How can you recognise a road narrowing?

It may be indicated by a triangular warning sign showing the road edges moving closer together. The symbol may show narrowing on both sides, the left side or the right side.

What can cause a road to narrow?

A road may narrow because of a bridge, tunnel, barrier, traffic-calming measure, roadworks, parked vehicles, landslide, damaged road edge or reduction in the number of lanes.

Does a narrowing sign impose a speed limit?

No. It normally warns of danger rather than setting a numerical speed limit. Drivers must still reduce speed when necessary to pass safely.

Does a narrowing sign determine who has priority?

Not by itself. Priority may be established by separate signs, signals or local rules. Without them, drivers should approach cautiously and cooperate.

Who has priority when the obstruction is on one side?

In many countries, the driver whose side is obstructed must give way to approaching traffic. The precise rule depends on local law and any priority signs displayed.

What if the road narrows equally from both sides?

Neither direction necessarily has automatic priority. Drivers should reduce speed, assess who can pass safely and avoid entering when doing so would block approaching traffic.

What do priority signs at a narrow section mean?

One sign may require you to give way to oncoming traffic, while the corresponding sign may indicate that you have priority. Drivers must still avoid entering when the passage is already occupied or blocked.

Does having priority mean you must continue?

No. Priority is not an obligation to proceed. Slow down or stop when another vehicle is already in the narrow section or when continuing would create danger.

What should you do when another vehicle is already in the narrowing?

Allow it enough room to leave the narrow section. Do not enter if the available width is insufficient for both vehicles to pass safely.

How should you approach a road narrowing?

Check mirrors, reduce speed smoothly and observe oncoming traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles beside you. Be prepared to stop or merge.

Must you use an indicator when the road narrows?

Use an indicator when you must change lanes or move laterally. Merely following a lane that bends with the road may not require a signal under local law.

What should you do when your lane ends?

Check the adjacent lane, signal and merge safely according to the local merging rules. Do not force another driver to brake or leave the road.

What is zipper merging?

Zipper merging means that vehicles from an ending or blocked lane merge alternately with vehicles in the continuing lane, usually immediately before the narrowing during congestion.

Should you merge early during heavy congestion?

Where zipper merging applies, continue using both lanes and merge alternately near the narrowing. In free-flowing traffic, change lanes safely when a suitable gap is available.

May you overtake near a road narrowing?

A narrowing sign does not always prohibit overtaking, but overtaking should be avoided when there is insufficient width, visibility or distance to complete the manoeuvre safely.

How should you pass cyclists at a narrowing?

Wait behind the cyclist when the required passing distance cannot be maintained. Do not squeeze past or force the cyclist towards a kerb, barrier or damaged road edge.

How should large vehicles use a narrow section?

Large vehicles may need additional width and may cross lane or centre markings where legally permitted. Other drivers should leave sufficient space and avoid passing alongside them in the narrowing.

May pedestrians be present at a road narrowing?

Yes. Pavements or verges may also become narrow or blocked. Drivers should expect pedestrians or wheelchair users to enter the carriageway to pass an obstruction.

May you stop or park in a road narrowing?

Only where it is permitted and enough width remains for traffic to pass safely. Never stop or park where the vehicle would create danger, obstruct visibility or prevent other vehicles from passing.

What should you do at a temporary roadworks narrowing?

Follow temporary signs, signals, barriers and instructions from authorised workers. Temporary traffic controls may replace the normal priority or lane arrangement.

What should you do in poor visibility?

Reduce speed further, increase the following distance and be prepared for a stopped vehicle beyond the narrowing. Use the required lights without dazzling approaching road users.

1 España 2 Autopista 3 Zona residencial 4 Zona 5 Límite de velocidad 6 Carril bici 7 Advertencia de peatones 8 Túnel 9 Carretera de peaje 10 Muelle 11 Pendiente 12 Calle sin salida 13 Señal de STOP 14 Ceda el paso 15 Glorieta 16 Estrechamiento de calzada 17 Paso de peatones 18 Paso a nivel 19 Zona escolar 20 Adelantamiento 21 Cruce de animales 22 Calzada deslizante 23 Desprendimiento de rocas 24 Curva 25 Obras 26 Límite de altura 27 Barreras selectivas 28 Semáforos 29 Advertencia de semáforos 30 Semáforos peatonales 31 Permiso de conducir 32 Marcador de ubicación 33 Paneles de aproximación 34 Espejo de tráfico 35 Frontera internacional 36 Paso inferior peatonal 37 Ruta ciclista 38 Estacionamiento 39 Prohibido estacionar 40 Estacionamiento para personas con discapacidad 41 Marcha atrás 42 Permiso provisional 43 Límite de población 44 Matrícula 45 Estación de carga 46 Peligros 47 Peatón 48 Ciclista 49 Autobús 50 Policía 51 Ambulancia 52 Norma europea de emisiones 53 Bache 54 Camino 55 Partículas 56 Contaminación del aire 57 Hora punta 58 Código de circulación 59 Canaleta de la calle 60 Residuos en la calzada 61 Bicicleta de carga 62 Vehículo forestal 63 Vehículo de construcción 64 Camión articulado 65 Trolebús 66 Speed pedelec 67 Vehículo de reparto 68 Motor al ralentí 69 Grúa 70 Tracción a las cuatro ruedas 71 Prohibido el paso de vehículos 72 Bicicleta 73 Equipamiento de motocicleta 74 Tranvía 75 Vía férrea 76 Caravana 77 Remolque 78 Enganche de remolque 79 Camión de bomberos 80 Sirena 81 Convoy 82 Luces de vehículos de emergencia 83 Maquinaria agrícola 84 Bicicleta eléctrica 85 Vehículo eléctrico 86 Pedelec 87 Cuadriciclo 88 Microcoche 89 Vehículo todoterreno 90 Furgoneta 91 Vehículo recreativo 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Vehículo de movilidad personal 95 Monopatín 96 Segway 97 Patinete 98 Patines 99 Cartero 100 Autoestopista ...