This November, the DGT and Guardia Civil are carrying out nationwide inspections of school buses and transport services. Here’s what they look for, and how every driver and parent can help keep children safe.
As daylight hours shorten across Spain, visibility becomes one of the most crucial elements of road safety. Every driver, cyclist, and pedestrian has a part to play in ensuring they can be seen — and can see others.
This week, the DGT is targeting every form of driver distraction—from holding a mobile phone (a 6-point, €200 offence) to subtle habits like smoking or talking to passengers. We detail why this campaign is crucial, reviewing a news story where a driver changing a song caused a horrific school bus accident. Plus, we highlight our three new website articles, explaining the mandatory need for identical tyres on each axle in Spain and why safety experts recommend replacing your tread at 3 millimetres, not the legal 1.6 millimetres, to significantly improve wet weather stopping distances.
In Spain, the only safe limit for alcohol and drugs when driving is zero. Legal limits are already lower than in many countries, and for young drivers under 18 the limit is zero. Professional drivers, such as those operating school buses, face even stricter rules, and forthcoming legislation may lower the threshold further for everyone
Each day, hundreds of thousands of pupils in Spain use school buses. While statistically safe, risks remain. Children must always wear seatbelts if fitted, and remain seated. Never cross behind a bus, and wait for the driver’s signal before crossing in front at least three metres away. Campaigns later this year will monitor seatbelt use and driver safety to ensure journeys remain safe.
September focus: school run safety and Guardia Civil flags, plus live alerts on school-zone driving, helmet rules, and a tragic child pedestrian incident.