Tag: Road Safety

New Speed Cameras in Spain

Notification of a fixed traffic camera in Spain is legal

New Speed Cameras Now Operational in Northern, Eastern, and Southern Spain

17 of the new speed monitoring points are fixed, and 7 are section-based.
For one month, the new cameras will notify drivers of infractions, after which fines will be issued.
In 2025, the installation of 122 new speed monitoring points will continue.
Inappropriate speed remains a contributing factor in 21% of fatal accidents.

The General Directorate of Traffic has put 24 new speed cameras into service across various parts of Spain, with 17 being fixed cameras and 7 being section-based cameras. This was announced recently by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, during a visit to the Automated Complaints Centre in León.

The location of these 24 new cameras includes the northern, eastern, and southern regions of Spain, particularly in the provinces of A Coruña, Asturias, Lugo, Ourense, Pontevedra, Almería, Málaga, Granada, as well as Alicante and Valencia in the Levante region, as detailed in the tables provided.

Type	CGT	Province	Road	PK INI	PK Fin
Fixed	Málaga	Almería	A-1050		1+200 D
Fixed	Málaga	Almería	AL-3117		1+400 C
Average speed	Málaga	Almería	A-370	8+400 C	9+400 C
Fixed	Málaga	Granada	N-432		425+950 D
Fixed	Málaga	Málaga	A-7054		3+500 C
Average speed	Málaga	Málaga	MA-20	9+300 C	10+300 C

Type	CGT	Province	Road	PK Ini	PK Fin
Fixed	A Coruña	A Coruña	AC-221		2+550 C
Fixed	A Coruña	A Coruña	AC-841		9+800 D
Average speed	A Coruña	A Coruña	AC-552	26+275 C	27+300 C
Fixed	A Coruña	Asturias	N-634		377+850 C
Fixed	A Coruña	Asturias	GJ-10		0+250 C
Average speed	A Coruña	Asturias	AS-112	2+150 D	0+850 D
Fixed	A Coruña	Lugo	LU-862		74+150 D
Fixed	A Coruña	Ourense	N-525		237+880 C
Average speed	A Coruña	Ourense	OU-536	25+850 C	28+040 C
Fixed	A Coruña	Pontevedra	N-550		84+150 C

Type	CGT	Province	Road	PK Ini	PK Fin
Fixed	Valencia	Alicante	N-332		89+050 D
Fixed	Valencia	Alicante	CV-86		13+800 C
Fixed	Valencia	Alicante	CV-905		7+050 D
Fixed	Valencia	Alicante	A-77a		0+420 C
Average speed	Valencia	Valencia	A-3	347+100 C	349+150 C
Fixed	Valencia	Valencia	V-31		6+125 D
Fixed	Valencia	Valencia	CV-410		3+510 C
Average speed	Valencia	Valencia	V-23	3+330 D	1+600 D

These new points are marked on roads, published on the DGT website, and available for navigation systems. For one month, drivers exceeding speed limits will receive an informational letter. After this period, speeding violations will result in fines.

20 Years of Speed Cameras

In 2025, the first fixed-speed camera plan marks its 20th anniversary. This measure, along with others, has helped reduce fatal accident victims by 75% over these years.

The 2005-2008 Strategic Road Safety Plan, following international guidelines (e.g., OECD, WHO, UN, EU), initially installed 500 fixed speed monitoring points and 300 mobile devices managed by the Civil Guard’s Traffic Division.

These monitoring points continue to save lives as inappropriate speed remains a factor in 21% of fatal accidents.

Source: DGT.es

Can you wash your car in the street in Spain?

In Spain, washing your car just outside your home might seem like a practical solution, but it’s not as straightforward as you might think. The Reglamento General de la Circulación explicitly prohibits “throwing, depositing, or abandoning substances on public roads that could hinder traffic, cause danger, or damage infrastructure.” This includes the runoff water, soap, and dirt that come with cleaning your vehicle.

The reasoning behind this rule is simple: washing your car in public spaces can dirty the roads and potentially harm the environment. Local councils enforce this regulation, and while penalties aren’t always strictly applied, they are on the table. Fines can rise to €3,000, depending on the municipality and the circumstances. Smaller villages tend to be more lenient, but in urban areas, authorities are less forgiving.

If you want to avoid risking a fine, the safest bet is to use a designated car wash facility. These services are designed to handle the runoff and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Mobile and eco-friendly car washing services are also becoming increasingly popular alternatives.

On the other hand, maintaining your car in good condition isn’t just about avoiding fines. The same regulations require vehicles to be clean enough to ensure the proper functioning of essential elements like mirrors, license plates, and lights. While this doesn’t mean your car has to sparkle, it does need to be roadworthy and visibly safe.

To stay on the right side of the law, check your local regulations and avoid washing your car in public spaces. By using appropriate facilities, you’ll not only comply with the rules but also contribute to cleaner streets and a healthier environment.

Car Wash Road Safety Traffic Fines Washing your car

Spain Proposes Lowering the Legal Alcohol Limit

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska supports the DGT’s proposal to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from 0.5 to 0.2 grams per litre.

Lowering the blood alcohol limit to 0.20 mg/l would effectively mean drivers would not be able to have even a single beer or glass of wine during meals. Professional drivers would need to abstain completely from alcohol.

On Thursday, Grande-Marlaska announced plans to start changing the law, saying that Spanish society is “ready” for this change, which aims to reduce road accidents further.

During a Forum Europa event, officials from the Ministry of the Interior explained the plan to lower the alcohol limit to 0.2 grams per litre, in line with countries like Sweden. This change would require the modification of Article 20 of the General Traffic Regulation.

The Ministry wants this change in response to requests from organisations representing those affected by traffic accidents. It is stated that alcohol or drugs are responsible for more than half of road traffic accidents.

Grande-Marlaska highlighted the steady drop in road deaths since the introduction of the points-based license system. Currently, Spain sees 36 deaths per million inhabitants, compared to the EU average of 47. The next goal is to reach the levels of countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.

alcohol drink driving Road Safety

8 out of 10 Drivers Checked Broke Speed Limits in Road Works

A total of 11,763 drivers were reported during a roadwork surveillance and control campaign on interurban roads conducted by the Directorate General of Traffic between June 3 and 9.

In 2023, there were 131 traffic accidents related to road maintenance and conservation works, 21 of which involved workers who were working or walking on the road or nearby (pedestrians), while the other 110 involved maintenance and conservation workers inside their vehicles.

The road surveillance and control campaign carried out by the Traffic Group of the Guardia last June focused on interurban roads where roadworks were being carried out. The campaign ended with 187,852 vehicles checked, of which 11,763 were reported.

During the seven days of the campaign, special attention was given to works affecting the roadway and/or altering the lane layout, including tunnel sections, with the aim of reducing risky behaviour in those sections while driving, such as inappropriate speed, distractions, and overtaking.

Out of the 11,888 reported offences, 10,173 were for speeding in the work zone, an offence committed by 85% of the reported drivers. Adherence to speed limits in work zones is one of the main factors in the fatality rate of workers working on roads open to traffic.

According to provisional data from the National Register of Traffic Accident Victims, in 2023, there were a total of 131 traffic accidents related to road maintenance and conservation works, of which 21 involved workers working or walking on the road or nearby (pedestrians), while the other 110 involved maintenance and conservation workers inside their vehicles.

Additionally, 275 drivers were reported for not respecting signals, whether from traffic surveillance agents, vertical signs, road markings, traffic lights, cones or flashing beacons, or any other type of signage.

During the campaign, 193 drivers were also sanctioned for using their mobile phones in those work zones, and 183 for not wearing seat belts. Additionally, 52 were sanctioned for driving with alcohol levels above the permitted limits, and 61 for the presence of drugs in their system.

The 161 reports for illegal overtaking, 33 for negligent driving, 21 for not respecting safety distances, and 30 for improper lane changes in work zones are also concerning.

Source: DGT

You may also wish to see the post on fines for speeding.

DGT Road Safety Traffic infractions Spain

An indicator of our time

Mysterious disappearance of indicators

In the vast and sometimes mystifying world of driving, there exists a peculiar phenomenon that has baffled me for years: the mysterious disappearance of indicators. Yes, those little flashing lights that are supposed to signal our intentions to turn left or right seem to have become an endangered species on the roads.

A lot of us will have read about the seriousness of the loss of the bee population throughout the world and in Spain and the efforts to repopulate these arthropods. Perhaps we are also aware of the drop in House and Eurasian Sparrow numbers as well as the threat of global warming.

Not to belittle these far more important concerns but has anyone noticed the downturn in the number of times a car indicator is used?

Indicator use increasing isolated to ITV centres

Picture this: you’re cruising down the motorway, minding your own business, when suddenly a car in front of you makes a sudden, unexpected manoeuvre. No signal, no warning—just a sudden veer into your lane, leaving you scrambling for the brakes and muttering expletives under your breath. Sound familiar? Of course, it does! It’s a scene straight out of every driver’s routine trips out with their vehicles.

Now some people are still able to locate the indicator stick amongst the knobs and buttons for cruise control and changing tracks on their latest Spotify playlist but they do seem to be a vanishing group. Their number is slipping down the barometer of life and appears to be heading towards the red list.

Think about it: How many times do you see someone use their indicators properly? If you do catch a glimpse of that elusive blinking light, chances are it’s been left on after a visit to the ITV centre, serving as a constant reminder of our collective failure to communicate effectively on the road.

Perhaps I am being too hard on these motorists? After all, navigating the complexities of modern driving can be a daunting task. Between dodging electric scooters, and mopeds passing each side of you as you look to pull out into traffic, avoiding people double parked when there is a parking space just 20m down the road, and trying to decipher the cryptic language of roundabouts, remembering to use your indicators might just be one step too far for some.

Reward the use of an inidcator with a smile

As we wrap up our journey through the perplexing world of disappearing indicators, one thing becomes abundantly clear: we’re witnessing a decline in blinker etiquette that rivals the plight of endangered species. While conservation efforts rightly focus on fauna and climate change, perhaps it’s time we extend our sympathy to the humble turn signal.

So, the next time you find yourself behind the wheel, remember the plight of the indicator—lost in the wilderness of modern driving. And if you do happen to spot one in the wild, blinking merrily away, give it a little smile of appreciation. After all, in this jungle of traffic, every blink counts.

Indicators Road Safety

Driving is Sharing

The DGT have launched a new road traffic campaign. It is called “Driving is sharing”.

Driving isn’t a solo act, folks! Many think they’re the lone rangers of the road, cruising through life with their steering skills as their shield against all perils. But let’s face it: road safety is a team sport!

That’s the gist behind the new awareness campaign that hit the airwaves recently, courtesy of the Traffic Department. With the catchy slogan “Over 40 million daily trips, yet some still think they’re driving solo,” they’re serving up a dose of reality. Through everyday scenarios, they’re showing drivers as both the problem and the solution.

In a friendly jab, they’re remixing Celine Dion’s classic “All By Myself” to showcase various drivers belting out tunes behind the wheel, thinking they own the road. But cue the reality check: the traffic jungle ain’t no solo gig, folks! Watch as their driving dreams collide with other cars, pedestrians, scooter riders, and whatnot.

The campaign, hitting screens and airwaves until April 12th, features TV spots ranging from 45 to 20 seconds, set to invade televisions, cinemas, and social media feeds. They’ve cooked up radio jingles, outdoor billboards, and print ads, along with bite-sized social media content, to drive the message home. So buckle up, amigos, and remember, it’s a highway, not your personal driveway!

Additionally, they’ve whipped up a webpage where users can play around with the campaign’s central concept, “you’re not alone,” through a video featuring a dual perspective. On one hand, you’ll experience the subjective view of the driver, complete with the campaign’s music. On the flip side, by hitting pause on the music, you’ll get a glimpse of the journey from the perspective of the other players: pedestrians, other cars, scooter riders, you name it. It’s like seeing the road through two sets of eyes, offering a quirky twist on the driving experience. So hop online and take a spin—it’s a wild ride!

DGT Driving in Spain Road Safety Road Safety Spain

How can you find out the correct air pressure for the tyres on your car?

The recommended tyre pressure for your car is usually found in the owner’s manual. Alternatively, on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb, or on the inside of the fuel filler cap. It’s essential to follow these guidelines. This insures optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and safety.

Regularly checking and maintaining the right tyre pressure is a simple yet effective way to enhance safety, save money, and reduce environmental impact.

You should check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold for the most accurate reading.

If you look at the above sticker you can see an arrow pointing down from the picture of the car. This shows the entries in the table below for front tyre pressure and rear tyre pressure.

You can also see on the left hand side of the table a drawing showing the load you are putting in your car. The first horizontal line shows what tyre pressures are front and rear for up to three people and light luggage. The second horizontal line on the table is if you have a maximum load in the car.

The table shows the two measures of pressure, bar and PSI. In Spain most tyre pumps are in bar. So if the vehicle with this sticker was carrying up to 3 people and light luggage you would make sure the tyre pressue was 2,5 (2.5 in English) for both the front and rear tyres.

Why is it important to maintain the correct air pressure for the tyres on your car?

Safety: Proper tyre pressure enhances traction, reducing the risk of accidents, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
Fuel Efficiency: Well-inflated tyres reduce rolling resistance, improving fuel efficiency and saving money on petrol/diesel.
Tyre Longevity: Correct pressure helps distribute the vehicle’s weight evenly across the tyre tread, promoting even wear and extending tyre life. Tyre tread is one of the aspects that may be looked at in the regular ITV road safety checks.
Handling and Performance: Adequate pressure ensures better vehicle handling, responsiveness, and overall performance.
Reduced Carbon Emissions: Improved fuel efficiency results in lower carbon emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Performance Road Safety Tire Tyre Tyre pressure

Are Dash Cams Legal in Spain

Are Dash Cams legal?
What about the Data Protection Law
Installation
Using a Dash Cam
Will a dashcam help me with an insurance claim?”

Are Dash Cams Legal?

Dash Cams have become increasing popular over the years and are widely used in some countries.

Some people might want to use the Dash Cam to record their road trip. However, there is an increasing number of people who like the idea that the Dash Cam may help them in the event of a road accident.

The Dash Cam recording could help prove who was at fault in a road traffic accident. Without proof it is often one person’s word against the other. Without witnesses, police attendance or an incident that is clear cut, it sometimes leads to a frustrating outcome. Whilst it does not seem to be prolific in Spain, there are many social media videos out there where fraudsters step out in front of a vehicle in the hope of being able to make a claim against you and make some easy cash.

The question is though are Dash Cams Legal in Spain? Well, the short answer is yes, but you must be aware that Spain has some stringent Data Protection legislation. Please read the next section carefully.

Data Protection Law

The Data protection Laws in Spain prohibit the publication of photos and video of other people, without their express consent. Only the police and other emergency services are allowed to record images in public places. Unauthorised persons recording in public spaces could fall foul of the Agencia Española de Proteccion de Datos (AEPD) and receive a fine.

The images recorded by a Dash Cam can only be used for domestic use. If you were to publish them, for example on social media, then you would need the express consent of the people appearing in the images. Without it you would have to blur faces and disguise number plates and anything else that might lead to the people in the images being identifiable.

Recording images for your own use, a road trip record for example, is not illegal but continued recording could be considered surviellance and therefore fall under the Data Protection Laws in Spain. For example, if you left the camera on whilst the car was parked over night this could be considered video surveillance. Many banks, shops etcetera have a visible notice informing you that you are being recorded. These entities are registered with the AEPD and have to adhere to the Data protection Laws of Spain.

There was a story in the press last November of a man in A Coruña who left his Dash Cam recording the exterior to try and catch the person that was scratching his car. The police spotted the camera and the car was towed to the Municipal Compund. The owner of the car was hit with a 1,000 euro fine. The authorities concluded that the vehicle owner did not prove sufficient justification for the camera to be recording in a public place.

One of the issues is that under the Data protection laws in Spain people have a right to privacy. You cannot go round recording people indiscriminately. However, does the person who recorded the images on their Dash Cam have a legitiamte right to use those images as evidence, for example? This is a gray area and may boil down as to whether the recording is deemed to have met the prinicples of suitability and proportionality without violating the other parties rights under the data protection law.

Under the data protection law as it stands, an insurance company probably could not use the images directly but they could possibly be presented to a judicial court.

Installation

The installation of a DashCam in your vehicle is allowed but there are certain common sense rules that must be taken into account to ensure safe driving. The placement of the device should not interfere with your ability to drive the vehicle. The device should not obstruct your field of vision from the vehicle.

Using a Dash Cam

You must be careful not to manipulate your dash Cam whilst driving. The same as using your mobile phone whilst driving if you are switching on/off or using some other feature on your Dash cam whilst driving then you can be fined. The fine is 200 euros plus the loss of up to six points on your licence.

Will an insurance company accept the images or videos to help with an insurance claim?

With the data protection laws as they are in Spain it is currently unlikely that your insurance company will accept the video images recorded by a dashcam to assist with any insurance claim. This is because, as mentioned above, the recording of these images may breach the Data Protection laws in Spain. Use of these images could result in a fine for you and possible the insurance company.

Two of the issues here are:

1. The Data protection Laws in Spain prohibit the publication of photos and video of other people, without their express consent.

2. Continued recording could be considered surviellance and therefore fall under the Data Protection Laws in Spain. Instruction 1/2006 of the AEPD. If you are not registered then again you could fall foul of the law that is desgiend to protect people’s privacy.

Taking photos after an accident to help show your insurance company the damage and position of vehicles is fine. However, they are unlikely to want to see the video of the incident recorded by a dash cam.

This article has been produced in good faith to provide some answers to general questions regarding the use of Dash cams. It does not constitute any form of legal advice. The laws and their interpretation can change over time.

Car Insurance Claim dash cams Road Safety

New road traffic laws Spain 2022

The congress of deputies approves new traffic laws

Penalty for using mobile phone whilst driving in Spain
Points for not using a seatbelt in Spain
Penalty for endangering cyclist on road in Spain
Penalty for throwing objects from your car
Alcohol limit for young drivers in Spain
Anti-start breathalyser in Spain
Changes to the overtaking law in Spain
Car insurance Quote

Legislation to amend the road traffic law in Spain have been approved by the Congress of Deputies and will come into effect three months after the publication of the official bulletin.

This will see and increase from 3 to 6 the points to be deducted in the case of holding a mobile in your hand whilst driving and 4 for not using the seat belt. This was previously 3 points.

The rate of 0gr / l in blood or 0mg / l of ehaled air is now included for motorists under 18.

The provision that passenger cars and motorcycles can exceed speed limits on convential roads by 20 km / h
when overtaking other vehciles is withdrawn.

Use intercom devices in the tests for the obtaining and recovering driving licenses, will incur a penalty of 500 euros and the applicant will not be able to re-test for a period of 6 months.

The objective of this normative modification is to update several precepts of the Law on penalty points, a tool that has proven effective in reducing the accident rate on the roads in Spain. However, it was necessary to update to improve the efficiency of the system, adapt it to the
times and reinforce road safety.

Main amendments to the road traffic laws in Spain

Distractions

Increase from 3 to 6 the points for use of hand held mobile phones while driving. Since 2016, distractions behind the wheel have been the number one cause of fatal accidents (31%), in 2020. The proliferation of social media, Mobile dependence and immediacy are harmful elements while driving, therefore the penalty points has led to the Spanish authorities increasing the penalty points for this type of infraction. There is also a 200 euro fine.

Seat belt and other protection

Increases from 3 to 4 penalty points for not using a seatbelt properly or failure to use a child restraint system. Additionally, the same penalty if you fail to use a helmet where required. The fine is the same penalty of 200 euros.
1 in 4 deaths in a traffic accident still does not use the
seat belt.

More safety for cyclists

With an increase in the safety of cyclists in mind, one orads with more than one lane, you must change lane to pass cyclists. This is also the same for passing mopeds. Infactions now incur 6 penalty points rather than 4 penalty points when overtaking and endangering or hindering cyclists. For example, without leaving the mandatory minimum separation of 1.5m. The fine remains 200 euros.

Throwing objects form your vehicle

The penalty points for throwing objects from your car are now 6 points rather than 4. Cigarettes for example.

Alcohol limit for young drivers in Spain

Drivers under the age of 18 using any vehicle (mopeds, AM license, motorcycles up to 125cc, bicycles and personal mobility vehicles) may not circulate with an alcohol level greater than 0, both in blood and air exhaled.

Anti-start breathalysers

(Alcoholock) mandatory for motorcycles road passenger transport vehicles that are registered from 6 July 2022. These vehicles are required to have an alcohol ignition interlock.

Overtaking rule changes

The possibility of passenger cars and motorcycles legally exceeding the speed limits by 20 km / h on conventional roads when passing other vehicles is now withdrawn.
2 out of 3 fatal accidents occur on roads conventional. In 2019, for example, 239 died in a frontal collision on a conventional road.

2022 DGT Road Safety Traffic Fines Traffic infractions Spain

Changes to the ITV Spain June 2021

From 1^st June 2021 there are some small changes to the Spanish ITV test.

Until now if there was a fault with the anti-locking braking system this could have been deemed a minor defect. From now on any defect in the ABS system will be reported as a major fault.

Additionally, if the rear view mirrors are detached then this will also be noted as a major fault.

Faults are categorised as either mild, serious or very serious. Serious faults will mean you have to get the vehicle repaired and re-tested within a certain time frame. Very serious means your vehicle cannot leave the ITV testing station under its own steam and you will have to organise for a tow truck to take it to the garage. For more information about the Spanish ITV visit our page or watch the video about the ITV in Spain.

The price of the ITV test in Spain varies depending on your vehicle and also on your location.

ITV Spain Road Safety