Drive aware – check out the new road rules in effect from today
Photo by cortto. Back in March, Spain’s government approved new traffic legislation that would affect all road users including cyclists and pedestrians. Here’s a quick rundown of 10 new rules you should be aware of that will be in effect from today…
For drivers
1. New speed limits
For some motorways, the speed limit is being increased from 120kph to 130kph. You should also be aware that in many towns, the speed limit will be reduced from 30kph to 20kph. As a general rule, you should always look out for speed limit signs wherever you are. This is especially important as speeding fines can apply for going over the limit even by just 1kph! The penalties remain the same. Worth also paying attention to the next rule…
2. You don’t need to be stopped to be fined by the police
Yep, the new rules include one whereby the police only need to take down the registration number if they witness you committing a motoring offence. On the whole, they should still stop you first but if they are performing duties that prevent them from stopping you or giving chase, a registration number will serve as sufficient evidence to prosecute!
3. Small children should ride in the back seats
Children under 1.35 metres tall must drive in the back seats unless there are no back seats or they are already taken up by other children that are also under the height limit. Taxis will need to follow the same rules but you should be aware that it is the parents who will receive the fine – not the taxi drivers. You can expect fines of up to 200 Euros if you’re found to to be not in compliance. It’s also worth noting that the police will also now be able to seize any vehicle carrying children without compliant child seats.
4. Bigger fines for drink driving and if driving after drug use
Drivers found with double or more than the allowed limit of alcohol will be fined 1,000 Euros – this is double the former amount. And if you’re caught drunk driving again in the same year, you’ll get a 2,000 Euro fine for that second time.
The new law also stipulates a more strict law for drug-taking… The police will now only need to require you to take a saliva test to show the presence of drugs in the body (prescription drugs are exempt from this subject to the directions for their use). The fine is also 1,000 Euros – and is regardless of whether the drug use has affected your driving or not.
5. Foreign residents must register their cars in Spain
Previously, owners of imported cars only needed to pay special taxes to use their car in Spain. However, the new rules will mean that they will now need to register their cars – this includes having Spanish registration plates. For more information visit/contact the Direccion General de Trafico (the DGT are the National Traffic Authority in Spain): www.dgt.es. Unfortunately, we could only find information in Spanish but will update this once we find something useful in English too. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also a good place to go to for more advice on living in Spain.
6. Tow trucks engaged in a roadside assistance should be given priority
Tow trucks on their way to assist motorists should be treated the same way as ambulances… So if you see one with its lights flashing, make sure you give way.
7. Drivers will be held responsible in accidents involving game animals
The new rules mean that the driver will hold the blame for any collision with a game animal unless they can prove that the animal stormed the road as a result of there being a big-game hunt within 12 hours of the accident. The state will be to blame if there are not the proper warning signs or if they have failed to fix broken fences.
For cyclists
8. Cyclists under 16 must wear a helmet
Parents or guardians are liable to a fine of 200 Euros otherwise.
For pedestrians
9. Alcohol and drug tests for pedestrians
There aren’t too many traffic regulations pedestrians can be caught in violation of but if you are, you may be obliged to submit a drug and alcohol test. So you may want to pay particular attention to crossing the road in the right places!
For all
10. No littering on the road
Littering on the road will now carry high penalties. I especially like this one because I hate seeing people throw rubbish out of their car windows!
And one more for the road…
If you do receive a fine, you can get a 50% discount for early payment if done within 20 days. Worth doing and then submitting a complaint if that’s what you want to do!
You can find more news on the new rules at El País in English here or visit www.dgt.es. For the specific news release on the new regulations, click here (it’s in Spanish but they have said they would be putting up info in English shortly too).