“Ghost signals” are in a legal limbo, since they are not regulated, although they must be respected to avoid future fines.
The “ghost signals” they are a “problem” with which drivers find themselves in some locations in our country. In theory, they are not legal… but you can get a fine if you do not respect them. We will try to explain this mess to you.
It all starts a few years ago, when many towns and municipalities have incorporated certain vertical signs that are not included in the General Traffic Regulations. We are not talking about new signals but already existing signals, but with a design or with an intention that does not comply with the law (in the image you have some examples).
They can generate misunderstanding in drivers
We talk about signs that are born the result of specific circulation needs or they are presented as an evolution of already existing models.
There have been various drivers’ associations that have denounced this situation and those that have asked motorists penalized for failing to comply with the same claim in hopes of avoiding the fine. It is explained that any road user could claim that this signal does not exist in the Official Catalog of Signals and, for this reason, they have no obligation to comply with it.
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However, several local administrations have already created a Specific mandatory regulations that validate these possible sanctions. Despite this, a well-founded appeal should annul the fine.
Given this, organizations such as Afasemetra (Association of Manufacturers of Metallic Traffic Signs) have repeatedly asked the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) and the authorities to update the regulation to incorporate certain signals that have been used for years, but that do not appear in any official document.
Now, on January 2, 2023, The Royal Decree that will update the Official Catalog of Traffic Signs should enter into forcewhich will renew and include new indications in the General Traffic Regulations and which, in theory, should alleviate many misleading situations for drivers due to these “ghost signals”.