Spain’s DGT reveals exception to new speed limits from May 11

Spain's DGT reveals exception to new speed limits from May 11

CREDIT: File pic

Spain’s DGT reveals exception to new speed limits from May 11.

THE General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) recently announced changes to Spain’s Highway Code with a series of modifications set to come into force from May 11.

These include changes to the points system of driving licenses, road assistance rules, the wearing of a seatbelt and helmet and overtaking.

The DGT has also revealed significant changes to speed limits in cities and towns.

With regards to the latter, the speed limit on urban roads has been reduced to 30km per hour in an attempt to cut down on the number of accidents, and 20 km per hour on roads with a single carriageway.

But not all roads are going to change their generic traffic limit. According to DGT, there are roads that will maintain their maximum speed.

These are urban roads with three lanes in each direction, one being a cycle lane, in which “the generic speed limit does not change, it will be 50 km/h”, explained the DGT in a tweet.

The DGT has also clarified the rules on wearing masks in cars, after rumours circulated that not doing so could result in a fine.

A statement was shared on its social networks explaining that “the use of the mask is a matter of public health” and a sanitary measure, which the DGT does not have any rights to enforce.

For this reason, its non-use “is not a traffic offence” so it is not punishable by a fine or losing points on your drivers’ license.

The DGT explained that there is no article in the Traffic and Road Safety Law, nor any of the regulations related to it, that specifies not wearing a mask or taking it off in a vehicle is an infringement of law, hence it is not a punishable act.

All amendments to the General Traffic Regulations have been made by Royal Decree 970/2020, dated November 10, and were published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on November 11.

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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

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