Last year the Government approved a package of legal reforms for traffic and circulation to try to reduce injuries and deaths on Spanish roads by 50% over the next decade. These measures came into effect on Saturday, January 2nd, and include the use of mobile phones and electric scooters, they are as follows.
POINTS ON LICENCE:
Points in Spain work in reverse to the UK, as your licence has 12 points on it and you lose them for offences until when you have zero, you are banned from driving for a period of time.
The penalty for using a mobile phone when driving has doubled when talking on it (without a hands free system) to 6 points and you can lose 3 points for just holding it when driving.
Likewise, when seat belts are not used, child restraint systems are not used, or helmets on motor bikes or other protection elements are not used, it is a reduction of four points.
All these are subject to fines and other sanctions depending on the severity.
PERSONAL MOBILITY:
The Decree regulates personal mobility vehicles, such as scooters, defined as vehicles with “one or more wheels equipped with a single seat and powered exclusively by electric motors that can provide the vehicle with a maximum speed of between 6 and 25 km/h”. This definition excludes vehicles for people with reduced mobility, and their circulation on sidewalks, pavements, and pedestrian areas is prohibited.
This means that stand-up and sit on scooters, which are not registered for the disabled, have to use roads in the same way as bicycles. Fines will apply accordingly.
URBAN SPEED LIMITS:
The general speed limits on urban roads are redefined based on their different classification.
On roads with a single carriageway and pavements, the limit will be 20 km/h.
On roads with a single lane in two directions it will be 30 km/h.
And on roads with two or more lanes of traffic in two directions it will continue to be 50 km/h.
OVERTAKING ON CONVENTIONAL ROADS:
From now on, it will not be possible to exceed 20 km/h on any road to overtake any other vehicle. These limits will not apply until May 2021, six months after their publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE), but drivers will be able to learn about these new regulations in time.
RADARS:
Carrying a radar detector in a vehicle will be considered a serious offense and will be penalized with a fine of 200 euros and three points less on the license.
