Traffic and Highway laws
The Spanish government recently made public its proposed changes to laws affecting all users of public highways.
Although only in the preliminary stage, the proposals are expected to be made law by the beginning of next year.
Included in the probable updates is a doubling of the fine for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, from the present €500 to €1000, and an increase in the number of points given.
The use of the increasingly popular radar detectors – used to avoid speed traps –looks likely to be completely prohibited, and changes to seating laws for children in cars will also be introduced. Previously, those under the age of three were not allowed to sit in the front of cars at all, and to a certain age older children had to have an adapted seat to be allowed in the front of the car. The ruling criteria will no longer depend on age, but on height – with one change being introduced immediately: those children over 135 centimetres tall will now be able to ride in the front in a normal seat.
The new laws will not only affect drivers of motor vehicles, however. Cyclists under the age of 18 will probably be obliged to wear a helmet whilst riding on town and village roads as well as connecting roads, whilst the law looks to remain the same as before for adults, i.e. that they must be worn on the main connecting roads only – though at the public presentation Interior Minister Jorge Fernández Díaz was quick to point out that this aspect of the law is still under debate, along with the child seating regulations, and may come in for a change later.
Pedestrians haven't got off scot free either. It is likely that those committing any type of infraction of the law will also be obliged to submit to an on-the-spot drugs and alcohol test, with the admittance of a saliva test being fully recognised as the legal drugs testing method as of now. Anyone, driving or not, who is stopped on a public road for an infraction and who refuses to undertake the alcohol and drugs test will also be liable for a fine of €1000.
The harsher view on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was explained at the meeting by Road Security advisor Bartolomé Vargas, who said that around 80 per cent of road accidents were "avoidable" and that drink and / or drugs were implicated in a high percentage of serious accidents.
Oh Oh! They'd be lining up to condemn these changes - I can hear the call now "Police State" - "Anti Tourist" - how we will suffer!
On the other side of the coin - the law breakers will decrease and our roads will become even safer, suits you sir!
Breath testing motorists is fine but Pedestrians??????.....got to be a joke but if not and its true then I`m afraid that does fall into the unacceptable category and `anti tourist` etc....doesnt suprise me though this wretched Spanish Government are true devotees of Franco..look at their latest antics towards Gibraltar...tells you everything
I thought I'd get the ball rolling here:
Cyclists! Grrrr!
I remember encountering cyclists on the road once.
I had to brake, steer and accelerate to get past them!
Nightmare.
see old spikes still living in his little twilight world where everything they do is for his well being and not his wallet. He probably has fairies live at the bottom of his garden too.
Random breath-testing of all pedestrians would certainly be a problem, but that isn't what they're proposing. The text (at least, this translation of it) says
Quote"those committing any type of infraction of the law"
I don't see any problem with that. It's just like adding "drunk and disorderly" to the crime of throwing a brick through a window or assaulting a passer-by who gave off the wrong vibes.
bit vague though. Loitering with intent?. Intent to do what. I'd hate to be drug and breath tested waiting outside the perfume shop for the wife.
LOL stedge - made me chuckle that ;D ;D
If there are people causing trouble on the street I don't see a problem with drink & drug testing. Hopefully it would control drugs and alcohol on the streets.