Safe in Spain? Driving in Spain?

How can a run on some banks in Spain affect your bank and account in the U.S?
Unrest, there are always demonstrations over several issues, walk or drive around them. 'I have heard though that the police can be brutal and/or mean.' - Who told you that? I have had a drink with many and they seem fine. Have you been talking with someone who had experiences in Franco's era? They will certainly be as equally mean as those in the U.S. if showing no respect. 'How is car insurance handled?' and 'I read that I should have 2 reflective vests?' I suggest you 'google' for a 'driving guide for foreigners in Spain' or similar or refer to a recognised motoring organisation for guidance, otherwise it will be more hearsay from this forum. 'How should I handle being pulled over if I don't speak spanish?' - You will of course have an International Driving Permit with your U.S. licence and if you have done something stupid you are entitled to translation.

'talking with someone who had experiences in Franco's era' They weren't so bad. The Guardia Civil took my pellet gun away once for popping birds in the city limit. Kept it for a month, but didn't rat me out to mom.

Hi, I was caught in a demonstration in Barcelona a couple of years ago, had a firecracker land right in front of me. The Fireman who was a demonstrator and threw it came right over and apologized. The police ignored it. They looked pretty nasty, but that is my only experience. My son spent a semester there, but had no problems with the police (or so he says!). The road signs are not as easy to follow as in France, this according to my son. We found the Spanish people(French, too) very nice and helpful. Some of the Gypsy people were quite aggressive and intimidating, but you probably won't see them outside the city. This is probably not much help, but I understand your concern and you seem wise to be considering possibilities. In my experience, a car has always been the better option. I regretted the times I didn't get one. Our credit card covered the insurance on the rental. I don't know about vests. I always stay away from police, because you just never know when you'll meet a bad apple. Mind the speed limit and you shouldn't be pulled over Oh, and driving in France was a piece of cake, but we haven't drivne in Paris. The roads are very well marked. If there is a run on the banks, you are right, there will be unrest, but probably not in the country side where the vineyards and beaches are.
Good luck and have fun.

I put 3,000 kms on a rental in Spain in April. No scratches, dings or dents. We didn't have any encounters with police so I can't say one way or the other. I did have my IDP from the local AAA office and my driver's license. I got CDW insurance through a deal American Express offers on some of it's cards, a one-time $25 charge gives you CDW for up to a 40 day rental. One thing that stood out, outside the cities we never encountered traffic. The roads are good. I would avoid the AP routes (autopistas are toll roads) only because there are good alternatives so not worth the money. A roads (autovias) are as good and don't charge a toll. N roads (nacional) may slow down through towns and no extra lanes but worked fine too. Inside the cities can get a little confusing, but not drastic. Bring a GPS you know how to use and supplement with a decent map. I usually just find a convenient parking garage in cities and leave it there until I leave.

We have lived in Andalucia for over 5 years and done a lot of driving. I cannot speak of other areas of Spain but in our experience the Spanish police (both guardia civil and policia local) are much friendlier, more relaxed and good humoured than their Australian counterparts. Very early on, when neither of us spoke much Spanish, our hired car was towed away when we had unknowingly parked it in a no parking zone - not only did they give us a lift back to the car but tore up the fine, which we were happy to pay. The police regularly do checks as to whether the correct paperwork is being carried in the car - but the rental company should point all this out to you. Ditto the reflective vests. My husband has been pulled over and chatted to several times for minor infringements - flashing the lights to warn other drivers of radar as one example! We have never had an aggressive or rude police officer -in fact, never less than friendly and reasonable. As to the language - they know tourists hire cars and that few speak the language so I am sure that would not be a problem.

I think the reflective vests come with rental cars. I do know that the reflective triangles you need to place on the road, if you have a breakdown, have been in the trunk of every car we've rented. I can't remember if Spain uses speed cameras as has become very common in France and Italy, but if you look at viamichelin.com, you'll see where they are.

Vests, extra light bulbs, etc = all my research says the rental co supplies all. A few years ago in-law relatives were driving in Spain. The grandad's back "went out". He rolled around in the back seat on pain medicine for two weeks while granny drove the full sized van all over Andasusia, terminating the trip in Madrid. if she can do it any one can do it. We are going to be in Sp. for 3 weeks in Oct. so have been doing my usual megaresearch on the driving angle. Stay sober, drive smartly, enjoy.

I was just in Spain, and I drove all over. You should have an International Driving Permit (available from AAA for about $20 - it's a translation of your US license). There are LOTS of speed cameras, but signage on the roads warns you in time to slow down. I was in Madrid when they had a demonstration that involved a couple hundred people. The National police were there, but because the gathering was peaceful, they merely watched from the sidelines as the little parade went down the street. The local police made sure they were not blocking traffic. All very civilized and orderly. I have no idea where you are getting the idea that the police can be brutal/mean. I just saw them smiling and answering questions. They were even kind to a homeless woman sleeping on the sidewalk. Your rental car will have the required vests in the trunk. Car insurance can be purchased with your rental (the liability is required by law and included in the rental price), or you can use your credit card's insurance (I would never do that, personally).