Spanish roads unveil unique emergency braking solution
Most road signs used in Europe are fairly similar. However, there are certain exceptions, such as the Spanish S-16 sign. What is its purpose?
The S-16 sign can be found on Spanish roads, particularly those with a steep slope. The blue sign with a fork symbol and an unusual "roller" indicates the presence of an emergency braking zone – a place where you can safely slow down your vehicle in an emergency, such as when the brakes fail. On roads with a significant slope, such a failure can be deadly.
What does an emergency braking zone look like? It resembles the depiction on the S-16 sign. It is a separate lane, often densely covered with gravel and topped with a mound of aggregate. The average length of such a zone is about 100 metres. Its width reaches approximately 5 metres. The lane often inclines upward to aid with braking.
A driver who loses their brakes should intentionally enter the designated lane, anticipating the gravel and sand at the end to slow them down safely. How does this work in practice? The answer is in the video below.
