No 512
Monday, 24th March, 2014
Tel: 96 673 0057
NEW TRAFFIC LAWS APPROVED
On Thursday the 20th of March, 2014, the Spanish government approved the amendments to the road traffic laws, with a number of major changes to the rules of the road in Spain. The laws will come into force one month and one day after its publication in the Official State Gazette, although a few elements are still open to discussion for approval in June. Here are some of the highlights from the legislation, which will shortly come into force. Foreign residents are now obliged to register vehicles in Spain. Until now, foreign residents must only meet tax obligations set out in the Excise Act, but it was not mandatory to register the vehicle in Spain, which in practice made it difficult for law enforcement. Children are prohibited from riding in the front seats of cars. Until now, those under
12 years of age were allowed to sit in the front seat, if they do so with the proper child restraint system. Now, the translation of the law dictates that children less than 1.35 metres tall are not allowed to travel in the front, although there are certain restrictive exceptions, such as vehicles without rear seats. The fine for not complying is 200 euro, and this rule also applies to taxis, but the responsibility is given to the parent or guardian, not the taxi driver. Officers also now have the right to immobilise a vehicle which is not fitted with appropriate restraints. The fine for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol will remain at 500 euro, in the case of driver exceeding 0.5 milligrams per litre of exhaled air and 0.3 milligrams for novice drivers and professionals, such as taxi drivers. The penalty is however doubled should a driver have been previously found driving under the influence of alcohol in the previous year, as well as for drivers with double the permitted rate. Continued on Page 2