New driving and road legislation announced

[Janet]

The Government has just announced that the fine for drink driving is to be increased from €500 to  €1,000. The amount of alcohol set as the limit has not been changed, nor the number of points lost from the licence – i.e. a minimum of 4. The legal limits are strict: 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood = 0.25 mg per litre of exhaled air (0.15 for new drivers, or drivers of commercial or special vehicles). Anyone who is over 0.60 mg faces three to six months in prison and a ban of up to four years.

In the same law, radar detectors have been outlawed: drivers who use them face losing 3 points from their licence and a fine of €200. As far as children are concerned, the law now requires those under three years of age to be seated in the rear in a child car seat; those between three and twelve years of age to be seated in child restraint, whether in front or rear seats; those of any age who are under 135 cm in height to travel in a child seat.

For young cyclists, those under 18 must now wear a safety helmet regardless of where they're cycling. Previously youngsters were only required to wear a helmet on urban roads. Despite pressure groups requesting for legislation requiring adults to wear safety helmets, this has not been included in the law.

These new rules will come into force towards the end of the year when the new legislation is approved. JA

[Michael]

The Government has just announced that the fine for drink driving is to be increased from €500 to  €1,000. The amount of alcohol set as the limit has not been changed, nor the number of points lost from the licence – i.e. a minimum of 4. The legal limits are strict: 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood = 0.25 mg per litre of exhaled air (0.15 for new drivers, or drivers of commercial or special vehicles). Anyone who is over 0.60 mg faces three to six months in prison and a ban of up to four years.

Oh I like the sound of that. 

Knowing the Canarian police's need to raise funds, do they enforce drink drive laws?

[Nova]

Well I get plenty of people coming in the bank to pay their fines    Of course, the fine of €1,000 will be reduced to 500€ if paid within twenty days but it's still double what they pay now.

[Janet]

yes, they do mac, and they have "stop and search" type control points here too ... frequently ...

[Janet]

The Government has today approved the proposed driving and road reforms – the new Ley de Tráfico y Seguridad Vial. The new legislation will allow fines to double from €500 to €1,000 for drink driving, and tighten the rules on child seats, as per the details in my original post below. Other measures include the right to test pedestrians for drunkenness or drug abuse, requirements for child cyclists to wear helmets in towns or on main roads, and an outright ban on radar detectors. The law when passed will also increase the speed limit on some parts of motorways to 130 km/h: at present it is not clear whether any of these sections will be in Tenerife. The Bill will now proceed to Parliament for final approval. JA

[Nova]

Is it not legal to walk drunk now?   

[Janet]

won't be ... or at least they'll be able to spot check ... and so, one presumes, issue fines ....

[Nova]

Gee, if you can't walk home from the pub drunk you almost might as well get in your car. Whose stupid idea was that?

[Janet]

taxi drivers' association ... at a bet .... 

[Michael]

Cops will be lined up down at Veronicas.