DGT brings Spain’s new Traffic Law into force this Monday, March 21

The new DGT Law on Traffic, Circulation of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety will come into force this Monday, March 21

This Monday, March 21, Spain’s new Traffic Law will come into force. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), via the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Police, will be implementing this whole range of new, and modified, laws relating to the general use of roads in the country.

The new Law on Traffic, Circulation of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety, applies to all road users, including those riding scooters or bicycles.

Here is a brief description of the new laws, and the penalties they will incur:

Mobile phone

For using, or even holding mobile phone devices while driving, 6 points will be deducted, instead of the current 3.  The financial penalty remains at €200.

Safety belts and child seats

This includes other mandatory protection elements, such as the helmet. The loss of points increases from 3 to 4 for not using them, but, in addition, not using them properly is now included. Fine remains unchanged at €200 euros.

Cyclists and mopeds

It will be mandatory to change lanes when overtaking cyclists or mopeds when travelling on roads with more than one lane in each direction. On single-lane roads, you must maintain the minimum lateral separation of 1.5 metres, or you will lose 6 points (previously it was 4). The fine will continue to be €200.

Stopping, or parking in a bike lane, or on cycle paths, is also prohibited. Failure to comply is considered a serious violation.

Throwing objects on the road

Any object thrown onto the road, or its surroundings, that could cause an accident or fire, will see 6 points deducted instead of the current 4. This is considered a serious offence, and carries a penalty of €500.

Recovering lost points

A period of two years must pass without committing further infractions to recover the initial balance of points. Until now, this period varied depending on the seriousness of the offence committed.

Safe driving courses

Additional training is encouraged, because, with the new law, two points will be awarded by the DGT to a driver who completes a safe and efficient driving course. The requirements of these courses and the procedure will be regulated in a Ministerial order.

Youths, alcohol and drugs

The legal level of alcohol in blood, or in expired air, will be zero for underage drivers of any type of vehicle (mopeds, microcars -AM permit-, motorcycles up to 125 cc (A1), bicycles and personal mobility vehicles, which include scooters). Similarly, circulating under the influence of drugs is prohibited.

Breathalyser unit

These will be mandatory for road passenger transport vehicles that are registered after July 6, 2022. The law requires an interface to be installed so that an Alcoholock device can be installed later. As of that date, new homologated cars will have to include ten driving assistance systems.

Overtaking

Passenger cars and motorcycles are prohibited from exceeding the speed limits on conventional roads by 20 km/h when overtaking. This change has generated a lot of controversy because there are many detractors due to the added risk that it may entail.

Radar detectors

Radar detectors and inhibitors are expressly prohibited, clearly distinguishing them from warning devices. Carrying them in the vehicle – even if they are not used – will incur a penalty of €200, and a loss of 3 points.

Many other actions are incorporated in the new DGT Traffic Law. For example, not respecting traffic restrictions when protocols are applied in the event of pollution episodes and low emission zones (ZBEs will be mandatory in municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants from 2023). This incurs a €200 fine.

Cheating in exams to obtain a driver’s license will also be punished with a fine of €500 if intercoms not authorised by regulation are used in the tests. Any guilty applicant will not be able to take the test again within a period of 6 months.

Cyclists who fail to comply with the minor safety regulations will be sanctioned with a fine of €100 euros. Users of scooters and other personal mobility vehicles (VMP), are prohibited from driving on motorways and highways, and can not travel on pavements or pedestrian areas, as reported by larazon.es.

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