Frequent Offences Committed by Drivers in Spain

Every single traffic law is designed with one single point of reference, to make the roads safer for all, and therefore reduce the risk of death or injury to all of us, and yet, despite that, self-caution is thrown to the wind and on a regular basis drivers flout the rules, ignoring everyone’s safety, and getting angry when they do find themselves facing the lesser consequences of their actions, a fine.

Here are some of the most common risky practices dealt with through administrative sanctions on a daily basis.

Speeding

Fines for speeding vary widely and depend on the speed limit of the road being travelled. They are structured in sections and, depending on the section, can range from serious to very serious offences.

Moreover, it is considered a crime to drive at a speed exceeding the established speed limit of 60 km/h on urban roads and 80 km/h on interurban roads.

Fine: from 100 to 600 euro and from 2 to 6 points.

Mobile Devices

Driving while using a mobile phone without hands-free equipment, reading or sending messages or using headphones; using navigation devices or other electronic devices; driving while holding the mobile phone in your hand.

Fine: 200 euro and 3 to 6 points.

Alcohol and Drugs

Exceeding the maximum alcohol level of 0.15 mg/l in exhaled air for novice and professional drivers, exceeding the level of 0.25 mg/l for other drivers (more than 0.60 mg/l is a crime). Presence of drugs in the body.

Fine: between 500 and 1000 euro and 4 to 6 points.

Helmet, Seat Belt or Child Safety Restraint

Not wearing a seat belt, not using a child restraint system, not wearing a helmet or not wearing it properly.

Fine: 200 euro and 4 points.

Stop Signs and Traffic Lights

Not stopping at a stop sign or at a red light.

Fine: 200 euro and 4 points.

Prohibited or Driving in the Wrong Direction

Driving in the wrong direction or on prohibited lanes.

Fine: between 200 and 500 euro and up to 6 points.

Safety distance

Not maintaining sufficient distance from the vehicle in front to be able to brake without causing a collision.

Fine: 200 euro and 4 points.

Cyclists and Pedestrians

Failure to respect the priority of pedestrians and cyclists when they have it (pedestrian crossing in the first case, bicycle lane, crossing for cyclists or hard shoulder in the second case), failure to respect the minimum safety distance of 1.5 metres to overtake a cyclist.

Fine: 200 euro and up to 6 points.

The Rules Apply to All

It is worth noting that the offences apply to all vehicles, and so, as we have mentioned cyclists, riding the wrong way down a one-way street or not stopping at a red light can also land you with a fine, the same applies to electric scooters, and both are also liable for everything else above, where appropriate.