The new Traffic and Road Safety Law comes into force on March 21, and with it, the new sanctions. With the aim of reducing the number of accidents and deaths on secondary roads, the General Directorate of Traffic launches the new information campaign 'New times. New regulations', with which it announces the new traffic and safety regulations.
With the new Law, some sanctions are toughened and new fines and road limitations are included, but what are the changes and the new sanctions? Below we explain how the most important modifications of the new regulations and their fines affect drivers.
Elimination of the 20 km/h margin for overtaking
One of the most notable modifications of the new law is that vehicles will not be able to exceed the speed of 20km/h to overtake on conventional roads. If the vehicle in front is traveling at the maximum speed allowed, it will not be allowed to exceed that limit to overtake it. The fine will be 100 euros.
Driving with phone in hand
The new traffic law modifies this penalty by clarifying that the driver will be fined if he drives while holding mobile phone devices, whether or not he is talking. Driving with a mobile means a loss of 6 points (previously there were 3) and a fine of 500 euros.
Not using the seat belt
If the driver circulates without wearing a seat belt, he is exposed to a loss of up to 4 points on the driving license (previously there were 3) and the fine amounts to 200 euros. The same penalty applies if child restraint systems and other protection elements are not used or not used properly.
Overtaking distance to cyclists
With the new traffic law, not respecting the protection distance of 1,5 meters when passing a cyclist carries a sanction of 6 points. Now, vehicles that need to overtake a bicycle or a moped will have to do so completely occupying the adjoining lane if the road has 2 or more lanes in each direction. And if the road only has one lane, keep the minimum separation of 1,5 meters.
Bring a radar detector or inhibitor
Carrying mechanisms in the vehicle that allow the detection of radars will imply a fine of 500 euros and the loss of 3 points. In the case of devices that can interfere with the radar, the penalty amounts to 6 points.
electric scooters
The new norm establishes that drivers of personal mobility vehicles, such as electric scooters, will be obliged to wear a helmet, they will not be able to circulate on sidewalks or pedestrian areas. Like other vehicles, scooters will have to comply with traffic regulations, so drivers may be subjected to a breathalyzer test and may not use headphones.
Throw objects on the road
The action of throwing objects that may cause fires or accidents onto the road or in its vicinity will also entail a sanction. In this case, up to 6 points may be lost from the driver's license.
Recovery of card points
The recovery of lost points has also undergone changes with the entry into force of the new Law. Drivers who have lost points due to non-compliance with regulations will have the opportunity to recover them as long as 2 years pass without receiving new traffic fines. In addition, in the case of wanting to have the initial balance of points, the driver must take a safe driving course certified by the DGT.
And on highways with two or more lanes, you can exceed those 20km. To skip ?. They would also have to play the circular in the central lane, having the right lane free.
And the cyclists who ride in a platoon occupying the entire lane are not fined or what? They must go two by two and they hardly ever comply and I don't see anyone fining them and they don't even appear in those new restrictions, for some so much and for others so little... Also, if the person caught with the mobile in hand has an emergency? So I get a fine or how is that, they have banned stupid things but they allow smoking while driving, the world is upside down, this is crazy
Why don't you go by bicycle too, less cars and more bicycles
How are some municipal officials going to be, happier than if they had won the lottery
They will enjoy denouncing those from here, the tourists or touching them
It is an activity that brings them benefits, they love to touch the residents' eggs, you tell them something, whatever, they file a complaint of contempt of authority and that's it!
warned remain