Título I. Disposiciones Generales

For the purposes provided for by this law, traffic shall be understood to mean all those activities related to the regulation, control, ordering and administration of land and water circulation of persons and vehicles, their drivers and passengers, vehicle parking, signage, traffic-light signaling, use of public roads, road education and police activities related to traffic on public roads.

The provisions of this law apply to every person and vehicle found in national territory; only what is established in agreements and international treaties ratified by the State of Guatemala is excepted.

The public way comprises highways, roads, streets and avenues, roadways, viaducts and respective right-of-way areas, sidewalks, bridges, footbridges; and navigable rivers and lakes, the territorial sea, and other waterways, whose obvious and natural purpose is the circulation of persons and vehicles and which, in accordance with the civil norms governing the ownership of the property of the public power, are destined for common use.

It is the responsibility of the drivers of vehicles and of all persons, whether pedestrians, swimmers or passengers, to comply with the traffic rules established by this law and its regulations. Consequently, regardless of the provisions affecting the possession of the vehicles, sanctions shall also be directed at the liable driver. In any case, any sanction affecting the vehicle shall be the joint and several liability of its owner and the driver.