Government Announces New Year Speed And Traffic Regulations Penalties

The Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska has announced that the government will be reforming the Traffic Regulations Act in order to  to reduce speed limits on urban roads as well as increase penalties for driving offences.

Speaking at a press conference today the minister said that modifications will come into force on January 2, 2021.

• Speed limited to 30 km/h max on urban roads with a single lane in each direction.
• Speed limited to 20 km/h on roads where there is no clear difference between the road and the pavement.
• The current limit of 50 km/h will be maintained where there are two or more lanes in each direction.

The minister said that “reducing the speed from 50 to 30 km/h reduces the risk of dying as a result of a hit-and-run and does not impede the flow of traffic.”

The new regulations also increase from 3 to 6 the penalty on drivers who use a mobile phone while driving.

In addition drivers who do not use a seat belt, helmet or appropriate child restraint system will have four points deducted from their license.

The new regulations also introduce a new  ‘very serious offence’ for cheating and fraudulent traffic tests, which will now have a €500 fine and the offender will have to wait six months before they can take the driving test again.

To regain points, two years will have to pass without committing any new offence, although this will depend on the seriousness of the act committed.