This law has now been passed by Parliament and will come into force very shortly. Some main points in brief:
*Despite some confusion among drivers, Spain does not have a zero alcohol limit, but the limits are very strict. This new law does not change them, and they are 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood = 0.25 mg per litre of exhaled air. What the new law has changed, however, is the fine. For drivers who have double the permitted alcohol level, or second offenders, the fine has been doubled to €1,000, and there will also be a 6 point penalty. First offenders, or those with less than double the permitted alcohol level, the fine will be €500 with a 6 point penalty.
*Where there is indeed a zero tolerance is with drugs. If a driver’s breath or blood test demonstrates the presence of any drugs at all, the fine is €1.000, plus a 6 point penalty.
*If a driver refuses an alcohol test, s/he will be committing a further offence under article 383 of the Código Penal which can be penalised with a prison sentence of between six months and a year, and a driving ban of between one and four years. (First offenders won’t be imprisoned). This is in addition to an automatic maximum €1,000 fine as though the driver had tested positive with double permitted alcohol level. Vehicles of drunk drivers will be impounded if there is no other (sober) driver who can take control.
*Speeding limits and fines (and point penalties) can be viewed in graphic form
HERE.
*Driving without insurance will be fined at €1,500, and the vehicle impounded for a month.
*Drivers of cars with a device to inhibit or interfere with radar will be fined €6,000; workshops who install them will be fined €20,000, an amount intended to display the absolute prohibition on the installation of such devices. Drivers of cars with radar detectors will be fined €200 plus 3 penalty points.
*Cars with children as passengers which do not have the requisite seating can be impounded.
*Cyclists under 16 must wear a helmet on all roads.
JA